Soldiers stamp their class for the fifth time
Pic by Anuradha Bandara
Defending Cargills Food City FA Cup champions Sri Lanka Army retained the championships defeating Java Lane 5-1 in the final played under floodlights at the Sugathadasa Stadium last night. This is the fifth time that Sri Lanka Army has won the FA Cup.
Previously in 1961 Sri Lanka Army won the trophy. Then in 2011, 2013 and 2016 they won the trophy as well. Meanwhile runners-up Java Lane have qualified for a FA Cup after 49 years. This is the first time that Java Lane have emerged runners-up of this prestigious competition.
The Army team and Java Lane played the final and the entire tournament without foreign players.
Spectators expected a stiff fight between the two teams as such a large number of spectators witnessed the game. However Java Lane failed to put up a good fight. At the end of the first half Army had obtained a 2-0 lead. The first goal was netted in by Mohammed Izzadeen in the 12th minute. The second goal was by M.A.A. Rahuman in the 44th minute.
In the second half everybody expected Java Lane to attack but they were disappointed. Army on the other hand attacked relentlessly. Due to this Army’s third goal was scored by Rahuman again in the 50th minute.
Sujith Kumara banged in the fourth goal in the 57th minute. The last goal for the soldiers was booted in by Mohammed Izzadeen in the 80th minute.
In the 92nd minute Java Lane scored their only goal through Jude Nicholas.
The Golden Boot Award in the competition went to Mohammed Izzadeen who scored nine goals. The Best Goalkeeper award went to Army skipper W.N.K. Sirisena.