Four second half goals for S.Thomas’ College blew away a spirited Lumbini College 5-2, in their penultimate group stage game of the Kotmale Chox Schools U19 Football Championship, played at the S.Thomas’ College Big Club Grounds.
Photo Album – S.Thomas’ College v Lumbini College – Schools Football 2015
With this win the Thomians have all but confirmed a place in the quarter finals with a game in hand. Even if the Thomians lose their final group stage match against St.Benedict’s they would have to lose big, having a superior goal difference of +9 compared to third placed Dharmaraja’s +1, who has already played their five matches and are equal on 9 points. St.Benedict’s on 6 points have an unrealistic task of piping S.Thomas’ and Dharmaraja with a goal difference of -3.
The Thomian team playing their final game prior to their big match against Royal College, were keen to continue their rich vein of form and started the game with a confident look about them. Their attacking play was rewarded in the 25th minute when Dion Dias opened the scoring placing a shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.
However Lumbini College came back strong and replied with two quick goals from forward Lakshan Tharanga; the first through a low drilled effort from the edge of the box, and the second courtesy of a great cross-field ball which found the forward unmarked at the far post for a simple tap in. Having taken the lead the Lumbini defense tightened up and the score line remained unchanged when the first half ended.
The second half saw the Thomian team push more men forward in a bid to turn the game around and they had a couple of great chances in the second half courtesy of some well directed free kicks and corners off the boot of Dion Dias. They eventually did find the equalizer midway through the second half, when skipper Deshan Gonawela’s low driven free kick went in with the aid of a slight deflection.
The Thomians then went into the lead almost immediately after, when Abhikrishna Dharmalingham pounced on the rebound after Akhil Fernando’s flicked header from a free kick was well kept out by goalkeeper Abdul Sameer.
The Lumbini team did turn up the heat as they looked to regain control of the match and some of their forward forays drew a few good saves from goalkeeper Dinura Gunawardane, but in the end failed to add to their tally. As the Lumbini defense grew tired, Yohan Mendis put his pace to good use by first setting up Gonawala for a tap in, following a flowing passing move, and then scoring a goal of his own from a well taken half volley on the edge of the box.
The final whistle came shortly after the 5th goal for the Thomians, for whom this win would have been a morale boosting one for sure ahead of the big fixture at the same venue next week.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Dion Dias
Speaking to captain Deshan Gonawela after the game he had this to say “I think the guys showed a lot of grit when we were under a bit of pressure and we came out strong today. We’re going to stick to the same plan for the big game next week and work on fine tuning some elements of the game we intend to play”.
