Suranjith Fernando leads Mermaid to title

Mermaid Hotel and Club, Waskaduwa, led by K. N. Suranjith Fernando became worthy winners of the brand new Classic Travel Trophy, defeating the previous 'Cup' runners-up, Cinnamon Red on penalties at the Travel Trade Sports Club Seven-a-side Soccer Championships 2018, concluded at the KAD Janaka Ranawaka Stadium, Rajagiriya, under lights. Cinnamon Red drew first blood through their war horse Jancolan Perumal and led 1/0 at half time. Mermaid with a relentless attack, managed to equalise mid way in the second half via Nishantha Fernando.

As the scores were dead locked 1/1 at full time, the game went to over time with the penalty shootout being imposed.

On a rolling penalty shootout, the four kicks each taken by each team, Mermaid found the net three times, and missed one, while Cinnamon sent in two and missed an equal number. The Tournament Referee/ Adjudicator, Piyal Perera VP/ MFA, adjudged Chamara Silva from Mermaid, as the Best Goal Keeper and Chalana Chameera from Cinnamon Red as the Most Valuable Player.

Twenty two teams pooled into eight groups participated; at the completion of the league, the following eight group winners advanced to the knock-out stage.

Sri Lankan Airlines ' B' ( Group A), Mermaid Hotel ( Group ' B'), Cinnamon Grand 'A' (Group 'C'), Heritance Ahungalla ( Group ' D'), Paradise Beach Hotel ( Group 'E'), Sri Lankan Airlines 'A' (Group 'F'), The Kingsbury (Group 'G') and Cinnamon red (Group 'H')