Thihariya Youth wins the Division I Championship in a heart stopper

Ten-man Thihariya Youth held off a late surge for an equalizer by Crystal Palace SC to win the Division I Championship 1-0 at the Jayathilaka Sports Complex in Nawalapitiya.

The goal off a rebound by Mohamed Ilahi in the 23rd minute was enough for the lads from Thihariya to clinch the Championship. The Champions had to work hard for the win as Crystal Palace had the majority share of the ball and played a well controlled game.

Both sides were familiar foes as they were drawn in the same group in the group stages of the competition. Thihariya Youth avenged their 3-0 group loss to Crystal Palace in a dogged manner in a final where they were the under dogs. 

The thousands of fans travelled all the way from Thihariya to Jayathillike Stadium in Nawalapitiya were rewarded by their team’s performance. It was a well attended match with much noise creating excitement for a good final and the game too was exciting with both teams fielding 3 African players to add flair and muscle to the encounter.

There were even chances for both sides and at 23rd minute MBM Ilahi found the rebound off a goal keeper to hit the net to make it 1-0 for the Thihariya Youth. Crystal Palace had the bigger share of the ball possession with over 8 corners opportunities to find the net but their forwards were wasteful of their chances. Referee Tharanga had to send off the goal scorer at the 73rd minute for receiving 2 yellow cards and that gave the advantage for the Crystal Palace but still they failed to get the equalizer.

Both sides qualified for the prestigious Champions League to battle it out with the best of the best for the Dialog Champions League crown.

Road to the final

The free scoring Crystal Palace from Gampola were a dominant force in the group stage scoring 15 goals and conceding just 2 goals. They won four out of the five group stages matches and loss only one to the kandy York SC 1-0. They humiliated Comrades SC 6-1, and comfortably defeated SLTB SC 3-0 who were quarter finalists in last year’s FA Cup. In the quarter final Crystal Palace lost 2-1 in the away leg but came back strong to win the home leg 3-1 against Keterians SC. In the semi final they had easy work as they defeated Super beach SC 4-2 and 2-0 home and away respectively.

For Thihariya Youth it wasn’t smooth sailing as Crystal Palace who are coached by veteran Sri lankan striker and Army SC player Mohammed Izzadeen. They drew with SLTB SC 1-1, lost to Crystal Palace but with two clean sheets in their other three matches Thihariya Youth managed to win those three matches. The Youth were tied for second place in the group with SLTB SC on ten points. However a goal difference of plus three compared to plus two for SLTB gave Thihariya Youth a place in the quarter final. In the quarter final they had another scare after they won the away leg 2-1 but lost the home leg 1-0 to Highlanders SC. They were again saved by the away goal rule where they had scored 2 to Highlanders 1. Thihariya youth got their act together in the semi final as they crushed Hy Line SC 4-0 away and 3-0 at home to qualify for the final.

POINTS TABLE

GROUP – A

GROUP – B                                                                                      

GROUP – C                                                                                                                                    

GROUP – D