Football: Saunders beat Mayor’s XI to win Mayor’s Cup

Saunders easily beat Colombo Mayor’s XI by 3 goals to nil in the final of the Colombo Mayor’s Cup Invitation Football Tournament at the Sugathadasa Stadium under floodlights on Saturday (12).

In the first half Saunders led 1-0 with Rohan Dinesh Ruwantilleke banging in the first goal. 

In the second half Saunders netted in two more goals through Chryshantha Abeysekera (49th minute) and Nigerian player Traore Mouahamed (54th minute) banged in the third goal.  

The Most Valuable Player of the Tournament was M. Racik Rishad, the Saunders goalkeeper. 

This tournament was held to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Colombo Municipal Council and was conducted by the Sri Lanka Football Federation and sponsored by Dialog. 

The winners received Rs. 5 Lakhs and the runners-up received Rs. 3 Lakhs. 

All losing teams received cash awards of Rs.50,000 each.

Saunders SC, the oldest football club in Sri Lanka, has won the FA Cup on several occasions. 

This however is the first time they have won a tournament after three years. 

The last time they won a trophy was in 2012 when they annexed the Asad Sally Invitation Tournament.

Eight teams took part in the Invitation Tournament for the Colombo Mayor’s Cup and the runners-up Mayor’s XI team was a combined XI consisting of players from Army, CTB, Colombo Municipality and Nigerian players. 

In the semi-finals Mayor’s XI beat Renown 2-0 and Saunders beat Colombo FC 5-1.