Blue Eagles, Colombo FC book quarter-final berths
Blue Eagles SC and Colombo FC virtually booked berths in the quarter-finals of the FFSL President’s Cup 2020 tournament after yesterday’s games at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Blue Eagles defeated SLTB SC 3-1 while Colombo FC beat Crystal Palace 4-1 under lights later on.
The Airmen displayed good team work and flashes of brilliance from Kavindu Ishan to overcome a spirited opposition despite trailing after conceding a penalty in the first half.
Shanmugaraj Sanjeew slotted home the penalty in the 32nd minute to put SLTB ahead 1-0 after referee Thusitha Sameera pointed to the spot for a handball.
The Blue Eagles who beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in their opening match stepped up the tempo to put SLTB under pressure with a cross into the box which the defenders failed to clear for Nethmini Malshan to slam home the equalizer from close range in the 42nd minute.
Soon after the interval, SLTB were penalised for handling the ball for Chathuranga Fernando to give Blue
Eagles a 2-1 lead by converting the penalty in the 49th minute.
The Airmen continued to gun the SLTB defence ragged with some slick passes while Kavindu Ishan had couple of shots with his left foot blocked by the goalkeeper after dribbling his way through. His efforts was finally rewarded in the first minute of added time when he struck with his right to the far corner of the net after finding space with another mazy run.
This is the first time a major football competition is being held after the coronavirus outbreak. The tournament will run until August 31 with the participation of 20 leading clubs in the country who were divided into five groups.
The tournament is being played within closed doors and following strict health regulations because of the coronavirus.
The quarter-finals are scheduled to be worked off on August 23 and 24, the semifinals will be played on August 27 and the final on August 31.