UTF Junior Football League: Renown Blues finish on top

By Susil Premalal

In a top-of-the-table clash, Renown Football Academy (FA) Blues and Colombo Kickerz FA battled out to a 1-1 draw at Cooray Park in the final week of Unity Through Football (UTF) Junior Football League, Sri Lanka’s first-ever junior football league.

Renown Blues, who were hoping to make five out of five wins, dominated proceedings in the first half but were thwarted by the Colombo Kickerz goal-keeper and a solid defence as the first half ended scoreless.

In the second half, Colombo Kickerz grew into the game and took the lead with a bullet shot from the halfway line by M. Afthi. It looked as if it would be the defining goal before Rahlaa Mursheed equalised with a similar long-range shot.

Renown FA Blues and Colombo Kickerz finished in the first two positions in the UTF League as both teams remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.

Rahlaa and Akram Ahamed from Renown Blues were named the Best Players of the match.

In the second match, Java Lane beat Renown FA Whites 1-0 after taking the lead through a goal by Nehan Amzil, a lead that they held onto till the end of the match despite several attempts by Renown Whites.

Amzil was named the Player of the Match as Java Lane finished third in the UTF League after a slow start while Renown Whites finished at fourth.

In the last match, hosts for the week Cooray FA met Henry Pedris FA, as the game ended in a 1-all draw. Henry Pedris FA took the lead through a well-taken goal by M. C. Rishi, while Cooray FA equalised at the end through a goal by player of the match Ramzan Ryhan.

Cooray FA finished fifth in the UTF League while Henry Pedris FA completed in sixth.

The UTF League will conclude with a one-day carnival at Racecourse Ground and will also be expanded into other age groups according to the organisers.