Dialog football kicks off in Jaffna
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The star studded 13th edition of the Dialog Champions League 2018 Football Championship, kicked off officially at the historic Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna last Sunday. The curtain raiser match of the 18-team competition was played between last season’s runners-up New Youngs SC and Super Sun SC at 6.00pm, followed by the opening ceremony.
The thrilling match ended in a 1-1 draw after a vigorous first half, during which New Youngs FC led 1-0 through a 22nd minute goal through B.S. Nimo who managed breach the Super Sun defence. Super Sun equalised in the 78th minute through Oluwatosin Daniel as the opening match flew off to end in a stalemate, while it was a definite treat to Football crazy fans of Jaffna.
The 18-team League Tournament will provide the thrill of a total of 153 top class battles between the top Football sides of the country. Each team will play 17 games and is expected to come to an end by end of January 2019.
Title holders Colombo FC will have a tougher time in defending their crown with Renown SC, Seahawks FC, Defenders FC, Air Force SC, Blue Star SC, Solid SC, Matara City SC, New Youngs FC, Super Sun SC, Java Lane SC, Saunders SC, Ratnam SC, Red Star FC, Negombo Youth FC, Pelicans SC, Crystal Palace FC and Upcountry Lions SC also eyeing the title.
From the previous season, bottom seeds Police SC and Moragasmulla SC were pushed and were replaced by Premier League Division I winners Red Star FC and runners-up Ratnam SC.
Matches will be played over 17 weeks inclusive of four weeks of midweek games while most of the matches are scheduled for weekends. After the introduction of the AFC Club License Programme, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Army will compete with changed names — as Seahawks SC and Defenders SC respectively.
Last season Colombo FC recorded a thrilling 1-0 win against Renown SC in a final stage game, which was a virtual decider, to claim the title for the third consecutive year.
