-A tussle for the ball at the semi final encounter between Police and Ratnam at Longden Place yesterday.-Picture by Ranjith Perera.

Police shocked favourites Ratnam SC to book a berth to the final of the Holcim FA Cup with a stunning 4-2 win in their semi final encounter at Longden Place yesterday.

For Ratnam SC winners of the tournament two years ago it was not their day as they succumbed to the stunning display by the Police. The scores stood one each at the breather. Three goals in the second session of play by Police were too much for Ratnam.They were off colour and they depended more on their main striker Kasun Jayasuriya who incidentally gave them an early lead in the 17th minute of play. In the 40th minute the scores became level with Police being gifted a goal which came off the boot of a Ratnam player.

At the turn round forward Mohamed Naushad put Police in the lead in the first five minutes. Police’s Rajitha Jayavilal then put the issue beyond doubt with a double strike in the 25th and 44th minute.

Ratnam playing under pressure reduced the lead in the dying stages through forward E.B. Channa but then it was too late as time was against them giving Police victory.

Police will now meet debutants to the tournament Civil Security Forces who made history by booking a berth in their first appearance in the FA Cup history, in the final on September 13 at the same venue.

Incidentally their semi final encounter against Air Force the previous day was a historic one. After full time the game end at one each and the tie breaker decided on penalties saw Civil Security Forces prevail 11-10. This also is the first time in the history that all 11 players from both sides were involved in a penalty shootout.