Soldiers walk past Blue Star
The Army narrative has remained largely unchanged throughout their Cargills FA Cup campaign: stringent defence and surgical, error-free offense. The fact that it was the tournament finals did not make the slightest difference as they dominated Blue Star FC, to roar to a 2-0 victory and lift the trophy at the Sugathadasa Stadium last night.
An intense moment at yesterday’s FA Cup final - Pic by Amila Gamage
Every time they had the ball Army looked likely to score and perhaps should have in a second half bathed in opportunity. But they never looked likely to lose after Sajith Kumara thumped in the game’s only two goals within the first 30 minutes of the game.
Together with Mushan Silva and Issadeen, Kumara has formed a vicious goal-ravaging triumvirate, which no defence seems able to contain. The occasions Blue Star were able to unleash their fiery pace, they could not garnish it with the required finish.
Blue Star’s players did manage to win a lot of corners but their headers either sailed over the bar or into the safe gloves of the Army goalie. At the other end, Army hit the bar once and nearly got past Blue Star’s goalkeeper-captain Manjula Fernando, who has been nothing short of inspirational throughout this tournament.
He could do little though to will his team past a team which, on the night, was playing with a flame of brilliance as bright as the fireworks which celebrated their victory.