Saunders and Serendib in semi-finals

 Police goalkeeper Dinesh Mahendren fails to prevent Serendib SC from scoring

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka’s domestic football set-up gets into full gear as Saunders and Serendib SC Mawanella secured their places in the semi-finals of the FFSL Champions Cup knockout tournament with victories in their quarter-final matches played on Monday at the Racecourse Ground in Colombo.

They join Java Lane SC Colombo and St. Mary’s SC Jaffna, who had already qualified for the semi-finals. Accordingly, Java Lane, St. Mary’s, Saunders and Serandib will compete in the semi-finals scheduled for April 1.

The tournament, organised by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), is being held at the Racecourse Ground and will conclude on April 3.

In Monday’s quarter-finals, Saunders SC recorded a comfortable 5–1 win over Solid SC. Saunders dominated the match, leading 3–0 at halftime. Clauvice Franck opened the scoring in the eighth minute and Ziard Mufazzal added two goals in the 22nd and 39th minutes. In the second half, Roger Philippe and Pethum Gimhan extended the lead.

Solid SC’s only goal came through an own goal from Saunders player A.M.M. Naleem in the 49th minute. Ziard Mufazzal, who scored twice, was named Best Player of the match.

In the other quarter-final, Serendib SC came from behind to defeat Police SC 2–1. Police led 1–0 at halftime through a goal by Nabeel Sardeen in the 42nd minute. However, Serendib turned the match around late in the game with goals from Mohamed Rahuman in the 87th minute and Darko George.

Mohamed Rahuman was named Man of the Match for his performance.