The sun rose marking the 2nd of September on the Eastern University and it was time, after 4 years of waiting for the football campaign of Sri Lanka University Games to commence. After months of training and hardwork, the energetic undergraduates were ready to show their colours in the field and gain glory for their Universities.
To start off with a little context, the last time the university teams met each other was at the Inter-University Games. There it was South Eastern University who claimed the victory on home soil (Expect a repeat) University of Colombo in runners-up and University of Jaffna in Third runner’s up.
The SLUG 2023 Football group stages were carried out in 4 groups with 3 teams each with the exception of Group D with 4 teams. A match was limited to 60 minutes with two halves. The Groups were as follows.
Group A: South Eastern University, University of Ruhuna, University of Kelaniya
Group B: University of Colombo, University of Moratuwa, University of Vavuniya
Group C: University of Jaffna, Sabaragamuwa University, Rajarata University
Group D: Eastern University, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Wayamba University, University of Peradeniya
The Group stages kicked off beneath the scorching sun and extreme heat at the Eastern University Grounds and Webber Stadium Grounds in Batticaloa. All the teams came in with their best and the matches were full of surprises and iconic moments. It would be fitting to let you in on the details groupwise for better context.
In Group A, South Eastern University dominated with their victories against Kelaniya and Ruhuna sides, with University of Kelaniya in second. The Ruhuna side unfortunately had to bow out with two losses.
In Group B, University of Ruhuna came in strong with massive victories, with an 8 : 1 victory against Vavuniya side and 5 : 1 victory against Colombo side. University of Colombo came in second with their win over Vavuniya side. University of Vavuniya were not able to make it to the quarters.
In Group C University of Jaffna marked their dominance winning both of their matches with their 7 to none victory against Rajarata side being a highlight. Sabaragamuwa side came in second again with their 8 to 1 victory against Rajarata University being a highlight. The Rajarata side couldn’t cope up with the challenge from their opponents unfortunately and had to bow out.
In Group D it was University of Sri Jayewardenepura who came in the lead including their win against the hosts from the first of a series of penalty shootouts. The Eastern side came in second with a good performance from their side. Wayamba University and Peradeniya University were not able to make it with two losses and a win on their side.
Off we go with the Quarter-final, even though having played two matches within a close time period (three for ones from group D), the teams showed no tiredness and came into the quarters like it was their first match. University of Sri Jayewardenepura were the first to mark their spot in the semis easing their way with a 3 : 1 Victory against University of Colombo. The Colombo side gave their best but it was not enough to keep their opponents at bay. University of Jaffna followed them with an exact same result against University of Kelaniya to book their place in the semis.
Eastern University, the home favourites were the next to mark their spot in the semis with their victory against University of Moratuwa. The match switched favours between the two teams throughout the match but it was more sided towards the hosts. Eastern side marked an early lead with a nice ball into the goal box converted but not too long Mora side countered tha through a penalty. It was a penalty again that gave the Eastern side the victory. Have to mention that Mora side came in really close for a tie from a header but wasn’t fortunate enough to put it in the goal.
With three slots already booked in the semis, it was Sabaragamuwa University who made a major shocker to gain victory against the reigning champions from Inter University Games to claim their spot in the semis.
The final day of the SLUG 2023 Football campaign was upon us and it was time to decide the finalists. The two semi finals lifted up the expectations of all, giving a taste of what’s to come.
The first semi commenced between the hosts and their brothers to the North, University of Jaffna. It was 60 minutes of toe to toe footballing action with both teams giving their best to score a goal. Many chances were missed by both teams and at the final whistle the scoreboard remained as 0 : 0. A penalty shootout followed amidst the cheer of the fans and the tides were in favour of the hosts, who claimed the victory thanks to a single miss from the Jaffna side.
In the second semi, University of Sri Jayewardenepura met with Sabaragamuwa University. The first half of the match went ahead without any goals from either team. Around 10 minutes into the second half, it was the Japura side who took the first step with a goal from a nice pass into the goal box. The pressure was on for the Sabra side yet they were able to tie it up with a well placed free kick being converted through a header. It was a tie at the end of the final whistle. What followed was one of the longest penalty shootouts I’ve ever seen. 15 rounds were shot with two misses from each side, but it was the 15th shot that made it all happen in favour of University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The long wait was worth it for them as they claimed their spot in the final.
Before the final made its way in the Eastern University grounds, it was the time for the consolation final with University of Jaffna facing off against Sabaragamuwa University. Up until the last 5 minutes of the match the scoreboard read as 0 : 0, even though teams created some great chances to improve their chances. A foul was marked by the referee in favour of Jaffna side in a dangerous position near the Sabra side and it proved to be dangerous indeed. A well placed shot made its way to the net putting Jaffna side in the lead and eventually claiming them the victory.
Finally it was time for the final, the moment everyone’s been waiting for. The ground got covered by fans from both teams, with a majority in favour of the hosts. The pre-match formalities went underway with the teams being introduced and the trophy put into display. The ultimate target of both the teams, claim victory and bring glory for their universities. The referee blew the whistle and we were off. What followed was two teams giving their best, yet none of them were able to convert those efforts to a goal. The goalies from both teams did an admirable job in keeping the scoreboard 0 : 0. The final whistle went off and all was set for a fitting end to an epic showdown of football, a penalty shoot out. All hearts were raising and the cheers of the crowd roared in the Eastern University grounds as both teams went ahead with the penalty shoot out. Shots 1,2,3,4 went ahead with both teams scoring. Eastern side made the ball past the goal line in their 5th try. It was the 5th shot for the Japura side. Should they miss this shot, the hosts claim victory. Undoubtedly the pressure was on Japura. The player went for the shot… it was a miss. Eastern University, the champions of Sri Lanka University Games 2023 Football Championship. A home win for them amidst their roaring fans. It was quite the fitting end to three days of exhilarating football action.
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