In a major upset of the Jaffna League knock-out football tournament, Anaikkodai Union trounced holders, St. Anthony’s Sports Club, Pasaiyoor, 2-1 to move into the semifinals played at Gurunagar Football Grounds. The game itself had the hallmarks of a classic duel between two of the top sides of the competition. St. Anthony’s opened scoring through [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Holders St. Anthony’s bow out of Jaffna League

By Sam Hensman, Jaffna
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In a major upset of the Jaffna League knock-out football tournament, Anaikkodai Union trounced holders, St. Anthony’s Sports Club, Pasaiyoor, 2-1 to move into the semifinals played at Gurunagar Football Grounds.

The game itself had the hallmarks of a classic duel between two of the top sides of the competition. St. Anthony’s opened scoring

The Jaffna League is now open than ever.

through S. Kajanan, right extreme, at the 2nd minute. Anaikkodai found the equalizer at the 35th minute through his counterpart right extreme Theepan.

With the scores at one all at half time, the game during the second half became a do or die battle for Supremacy. Both sides due to the excitement of the hour missed golden opportunities. When the match was heading towards a certain draw, Stephanraj, the right-in, collecting a pass from the right-extreme and scored a scorching goal in the 75th minute to register the most sensational victory. With this win Anaikkodai Union stands a golden opportunity to snatch the soccer crown of the year. In another Quarter Final, top contenders, Singing Fish Gurunagar romped home by 3-1 over St. Michael’s, Urumpirai.

With the reigning champions, St. Anthony’s, Pasaiyoor having been knocked out of the tournament, the tournament is now more open than ever. The teams that are tipped to come into the semi finals are Anaikkodai Union, Gurunagar Singing Fish, Urelu Royal and Mayilankadu Gnanamurugan. All together 16 teams entered the competition which began in mid November. With the semi finals and the finals scheduled for the next two weeks, the question in everybody’s lips is who will be crowned as the football kings of the North at the end of the year? Let’s wait and see.The energetic President of the Jaffna Football League Mr. Clifford Antonipillai, former Sri Lanka cap and his secretary Mr. A. Tharmarajah are leaving no stone unturned to make the tournament a grand success.




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