Renown Blues top UTF Junior League table

By Susil Premalal

Renown Football Academy Blues topped the table after beating their counterparts Renown FA Whites 4-1 in the third week of the ‘Unity Through Football’ (UTF) Junior Under 10s Football League played at Havelock Park.

In the opening match of the country’s first-ever junior football league among academies, Java Lane FA scraped through to a 1-0 win against Henry Pedris FA after a close battle.

At half-time the match was evenly poised with both teams failing to score, but M. Shakeek broke the deadlock with a well-taken goal to be named the Player of the Match.

In the second game, hosts Colombo Kickerz FA, who had won both their opening matches, fielded a changed side and couldn’t break open the solid defence of Cooray FA, whose goalkeeper made several great saves.

Rei Yamada of Colombo Kickerz was named the Player of the Match.

In the third match, Renown FA Blues didn’t have it easy against their counterpart juniors, Renown FA Whites, who consisted mostly of Under-9 players.

Even though Renown Blues took the lead through a goal by S.M. Shaffaq, Renown Whites equalised through a brilliant individual goal by Ayyash Arshad as the first half ended 1-1. In the second half, Renown Blues found their groove and scored three goals, with skipper M.N. Jeff scoring two and Shaffaq adding another on his way to being named the Player of the Match.

The league is backed by Renown FA’s international award-winning project, ‘Unity Through Football’ which is supported by several international entities, including national associations, clubs, and foundations.

The third week of Sri Lanka’s first-ever junior football league was hosted by Colombo Kickerz FA. The fourth week of the league will be hosted by Cooray FA.