SLTB offers final ride to Airmen
Sri Lanka Air Force, who won the Champions League a mere four weeks ago, were spectacularly upset by the Sri Lanka Transport Board, who booked a quarter-final berth in the Cargills FA Cup after overcoming their opponents 3-2 in one of yesterday’s four penalty shootouts, at the Vernon Fernando Stadium in Kalutara yesterday.
Things wound down to penalties after things remained deadlocked at 0-0 throughout regulation time. In some of the other games decided by penalties, Sri Lanka Navy beat Kalutara Park 4-2, Sri Lanka Army SC got past Solid SC 4-2 and Ratnam SC overcame Upcountry Lions 4-3.
Sri Lanka Navy knocked in two goals to Kalutara’s one before the latter strode back into contention with a second half goal. Things were tied 1-1 at halftime between Sri Lanka Army and Solid SC before both teams added a goal to their tally in the second half.
Ratnam SC and Upcountry Lions both slotted in goals during the opening half of their game but then saw their defences tighten in the second half to bring a halt to all scoring.
In today’s pre-quarterfinal matches, Blue Star SC will face Renown SC at the CR&FC grounds and New Youngs SC will meet Colombo FC at the Sri Bodhi ground in Gampaha, a new venue developed by FIFA for all FFSL conducted tournaments. – DS