Victory’s two goals leaves Cooray SC agape
Victory Football Club, led by Azeem Kamil, bagged the City League Division ‘A’ title beating the much fancied Cooray Sports Club by 2 goals to nil at the City Football League Complex.
Both teams played attacking football from the start with Victory FC having a slight edge over their opponents. In the 10th minute of play Victory’s left extreme Rifad Mahil missed a sitter with only the goalkeeper to beat, off a neat pass by inside forward Mohamed Fahis.
However they were not kept long when the opening goal came their way in the 25th minute when inside forward Shakeer Rahuman scored off a well initiated counter attack beating two defenders and slotting the ball past the Cooray SC custodian. This goal paved the way for both teams to play a fast paced game with Victory’s gutty defence line spoiling every move initiated by Cooray forwards.
The second goal for Victory was again scored by Shakeer Rahuman in the 40th minute with some intelligent passing in front of the Cooray goal area. At half time the winners led by 2-0, which eventually was the final outcome.
On resumption both teams attacked furiously but the youthful Victory FC proved their superiority with speed, positional play and intelligent moves. Victory forwards missed a few chances, the fast moving inside forward Mohamed Fahiz missed two easy chances of scoring whilst mid fielder Abdul Azeez went close to scoring.
Cooray tried hard to penetrate the Victory defence, but the wall comprising of Irshard Farook, Roshan Ijiyas, Hasmath Kamil, Nuwantha Perera and Mohamed Sajid played well in an organised manner. Rahique Liyafdeen stood firm between the post for the winners, safeguarding the nets. For Cooray A.H.N. Jayaweera, Dananjaya Deepthi, Sisra Rajawansha played outstandingly, but in a losing battle.
The match was officiated by Indunil Sandekelum, assisted by Ajith Priyankara and S.A.S. Madushanka. With this win Victory FC qualifies to play in the Presidents Cup Tournament organised by City Football League. The tournament is expected to be worked off in March with Colombo FC, Renown SC, Saunders SC, Java Lane SC and Moragasmulla SC battling it out.
The winners received the championship trophy with a cash award of Rs. 50000 and certificates, which were handed over by M. Premadasa, the Chairman of Competitions for City Football League. The runner-up team received there trophy cash award of Rs. 35000 and certificates from the City Football League Secretary, M.I. Muthalif.
Before the commencement of the finals a 2-minute silence was observed in mark of respect to the Late Pentaline Fernando, former Vice President of City Football League, who passed away.