Reborn Cup soccer championship semis today

Bernard PERERA

Zahira College the defending champions of the Hameed Al Husseini organised invitation soccer tourney will clash with the last year's finalist De Mazenod College, Kandana today in the semi-final of the Reborn Invitation Soccer Championship at Sugathadasa stadium at 5 p.m.

In the other semi-final St. Benedict's College take on Isipatana College at 3.15 p.m. at the same venue.

Zahirians today come out as the favourites with a top record behind them with two victories. These two wins were made very comfortably scoring a record 20 goals (10 each). The team led by national school player M. N. Mohamed Fazal is in top form, specially Fazal has had a top season scoring a record number of goals in the pre-quarter final against St. Thomas' College, Matara. He continued his good form, adding four more goals to his credit, playing against Dharmapala MV in the quarters.

De Mazenod team too is a strong outfit capable of posing a big threat to the Zahirians with their strikers P. M. Madushanka and Subash Madushan in great form. These two players received the support from A. W. A. Tharindu who was adjudged as the man of the match award in the quarter final for excellent play making.

With both teams having top class strikers and defenders the spectators will get an opportunity to witness a fine game of soccer which also will give the best team a chance to play in the final.

Meanwhile St. Benedict's College which too boasts of good soccer players in the past, once again have produced a well balanced team which can cope any opposition, meet Isipatana College today at 3.15 p.m. Isipatana the school that is famous for its rugby too have taken the game of soccer in a serious way and reached the semi final in this year's opening tournament.

In this game the Bens are with a slight advantage. Their striking power mainly is handled by S. S. N. Madushanka, Asela Tharanga and G. Dilan Victoria. In addition their defence line is a strong one, with the custodian too have kept well to see his side win.

Meanwhile, Isipatana boys who outplayed Hameed Al Husseine and Al Hilal in the two previous games have improved heavily. They are sure to give the Bens a hard time.

It is sad to note that last year's finalists Zahira and De Mazenod play in the semis which gives and indication that one of them will be left out of the final that is scheduled for Sunday at the same venue.
