Sri Lankan’s famous win in 1965
The first International win in our soil for Sri Lanka football came around early 1965. The then Ceylon hosted the strong Pakistan national team led by B Muhammad Umar, which made a brief tour to the island to play two test matches and a few other matches out station.
Skipper Umar was rated as a superb forward in the sub-continent had the services of footballer of the calibre of Kala Ghafoor, Latiff Gul, Rana, Yoonoos Ali, M. Baksh, Thurab Ali, Moosa, M. Hashim, and Abdulla.
The Ceylon team was led by that super goalkeeper M.M. Hassimdeen who at that time was rated as the best in Asia.
Competitions are galore nowadays unlike in the past but the quality of football is not the same as it used to be. - FIle pic
The Ceylon team comprised M.M. Hassimdeen, (capt), B.B. Sourjah, M.A. Ameer, Mahinda Aluvihare, T. Halideen, P.H.S. Albert, A Zainulabdeen, T. Amidon, S.P. de Silva, Edward Wickremasuriya, and P.D. Sirisena.
Never before has such an enthusiastic ovation been given to a soccer team at the Sugathadasa Stadium. When Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) beat the Pakistan national team 3-1, the capacity crowd estimated well over forty thousand, rose to their feet to salute the giant killers. It was indeed a “Historic Day” in the annals of football history in Sri Lanka and what a fantastic display it was.
Though the visitors won all the preliminary matches convincingly beating Kurunegala combined 4-2, Nuwara Eliya 5-1, Up- Country 7-1, Rathnapura District 3-1, and Colombo Football league 7-1. However, they had a tough time with our national team.
The first test played at the Sugathadasa stadium was exciting. In the first half, Pakistan were able to go ahead with a goal scored by their skipper Umar. It was a sole effort by Umar beating Hassimdeen at the goal with a deceptive drive. During the latter stages of the initial session the Ceylon team gave an inspired display amidst the cheers of the home crowd and they dominated the game up to the final whistle.
A fine move by little Amidon scored the first goal for the Ceylon team just before half time. Right Flanker Edward Wickremasuriya created the opening for Amidon for the equalizer.
The first half ended one all. Again in the 15th minute of the second half Edward Wickremasuriya made the opening for second Sri Lanka goal. A fine long pass by Edward to Sena de Silva who beat the Pakistan goalie Latiff with a well-timed headed drive.When the score was 2-1 in favour of Ceylon, the strong forward line of Pakistan who gave a superb display against China few months earlier tried their best for an equalizer. All their attempts were foiled by the Ceylon custodian Hassimdeen who was at his best. Several hot shots by the Pakistan attackers were saved mainly due to the lion-hearted goal keeping of Hassimdeen between the woodwork. He flung and rose in the air to bring off some incredible saves. To make things worse for Pakistan the defense line consisting Sourjah, Ameer, Mahinda, Aluvihare, P.H.S. Albert and Halideen stood like the rock of Gibraltar and stopped the counter – attacks by the Pakistanis.
With Mahinda Aluvihare excelling even in the attack too helped out forwards to score the third goal.
It was an equal contest until Zainulabdeen stamped the Ceylon victory with a thirty metres bullet shot just before the final whistle. The match was ably controlled by Referee T.B. Bongso.
It was indeed a rare treat of open and quality soccer. The game which entertained the local soccer crowd with a game that was played at its best
The second test between the two teams was played for the first time under flood lights at the Sugathadasa Stadium which end in a scoreless game. In this match too, Hassimdeen brought off as many as a dozen good saves. Unfortunately the Ceylon team missed couple of sitters which forced us to go for a draw. This thrilling encounter too was witnessed and enjoyed by the largest crowd who jumped over the fences of the stadium and stood up on the touch lines in the playing field on either side to cheer our team.
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