Crystal Palace and Thihariya Youth a battle of attrition
The Premier Division I Football Championship conducted by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) will come to an end with the final showdown between Crystal Palace SC Gampola and Thihariya Youth SC Gampaha at the Jayatilleke Stadium in Nawalapitiya. The kickoff is set for 3.30pm.
Thihariya Youth SC Front row (from left): M. N. M. Najath, Badran Ilahi, Mohamed Nawazir, Mohamed Ali, Mohamed Masood, Mohamed Shafni, M.J. Rajasheron, S.M. Rukshan, G.P.C. Amarasena. Back row (from left): M. Sholo, Yasar Mohamed, Onwumelu Emangel Uchera, Shafraz Mohamed, M.N.M. Anas, Shiras Mohamed, M.F.M. Farook, M.N. Isham (Captain), M.A.M. Imran, Maji Fanyichukwn Hygenns, Hafeel Mohamed, Mohamed Izzadeen (Coach).
Incidentally both finalists competed under Group C in the preliminary stage but Crystal Palace has a better record than their opponents with four wins and a loss in five group games. In contrast Thihariya Youth have played five games, won three with the remaining two games ending in a draw and a loss.
In the quarter-final stage played as home and away clashes Crystal Palace faced Keterians and lost their game away 1-2. But in the game they hosted Crystal Palace with the home crowd supporting they bounced back to win the game 3-1 and win by an aggregate of 4-3. Thihariya Youth experienced a different tang by winning the away game 2-1 and conceding the home game 0-1. With the tally tied at 2-2 the group stage record was taken up to consideration and Thihariya Youth had the better say.
In the semi-finals both Crystal Palace and Thihariya Youth were fired up and won their respective two-legged games convincingly. Crystal Palace thrashed Super Beach 4-2 in their home game and playing host beat their opponents 2-0 to reach
Crystal Palace SC Back row (from left) Asoka Kumara (players coordinator), Saboor Mohideen (Coach), Hilmy Saleem (Manager), Mubeen Abbas, Mark Solomon, Arafath Khan, Razvan Khan (President), Azad, Dilshad, Imtikab Fuad (Physio), Nazar Mohamed (Secretary), Fowzi Zahir (Assistant Coach).Middle row (from left): Kennith, Sajeewa, Shimak Khan, Kalid Azmil, Shifan Mohamed, Buddika AC, Issac Aba. Front row (from left): Malik Fuad, Nuwan Senaweera, R.J. Bernard, Shamil Hilmy, Chaminda Sandaruwan, Supun Silva, Kelum Fernando, Dilip Rukshan, Chamara Kumara.
the final with a aggregate of 6-2. Thihariya Youth had a much better passage to the final thrashing Hyline SC 4-0 away and 3-0 at the home while ending with an aggregate of 7-0.
With the progress of the tournament Crystal Palace and Thihariya Youth have topped in form for the crucial clash from a total of 24 teams. A total of 73 matches were played on the way to the final with six teams each playing each other in four different groups. The top two teams from each group reached the quarter-finals which were played on home and away basis. The same mode of play was applied at the semi-finals too.
Crystal Palace and Thihariya Youth emerged the best two teams from other contenders Cooray SC, Hyline, Old Bens, Jet Liners, Green Field, Dharga Town SC, Super Beach, Maligawatte Youth, New Star, Moragasmulla SC, Old Mazenodians, Badowita United, Kandy York, Comrades SC, SLTB SC, Jupiter’s SC, Red Sun SC, Keteriyans, Golden Star, Highlanders, Eastern Youth and Colpetty United. The champion team will receive the main trophy and a prize money of Rs.300,000 with medals while the losing finalist are guaranteed of walking away with a cash reward of Rs. 200,000 with medals.
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