Arousing the sporting spirit in undergraduates the FFSL President’s Gold Cup is ongoing and it has been a busy couple of days for the teams representing the Sri Lanka University Football league. University of Colombo, University of Moratuwa, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, South Eastern University, Uva Wellassa University are preparing themselves to the maximum to face the upcoming challenge from their rivals.
The second match of the league between University of Moratuwa and University of Colombo went underway at the University of Moratuwa grounds on 01st of October and I got the privilege to cover the match representing MoraSpirit and it was a roller-coaster of a game of football as excepted, with much drama and breathtaking moments.
University of Colombo, coming into the match with a 01 : 01 draw against University of Sri Jayewardenepura just a few days ago, started the first half strongly. They charged into the Mora penalty box a couple of times just within minutes of the whistle. Their first chance opened up with a free kick at the edge of the penalty box, which was securely placed into the net by V. Nanayakkara (19) at just the 5th minute of the match. It was a magical start for Colombo. Just a few minutes after the first goal another chance was opened up for Colombo with a near miss, through a header into the goal hitting the crossbar. It was a near save for the Mora side.
At about the 20 minute mark the Mora side started finding their rhythm with some good teamwork at times and with a couple of off target shots into the goal. The Colombo side didn’t back off as well, once having the number 9 player of the Mora side work hard to stop the ball from flying into the net. It followed up with another free kick to Colombo, which was not to be a goal.
Colombo side started their strenuous attack again keeping the Mora goal-keeper at the edge of his senses , even making him move to the edge of the penalty box once to save Mora side from conceding a second goal. It was followed up with 2 corner kicks for the Colombo side but none of them were converted into a goal.
At around the 40 minute mark some clever ball play from the Mora side opened up another chance but the shot from the goal box was securely placed into the hands of the goalkeeper amidst shouts of disbelief from the spectating Mora fans. It was followed up by an off-target shot by the number 32 Mora player. Another chance missed.
The doubt of incoming rain was all around the ground with dark clouds hovering around and just minutes before the half time, the rain started pouring down but the game carried on. The slippery condition proved to be a bit challenging for the players, with a couple of them losing control and falling a few times.
Another heart stopping moment came for the Mora side with a massive throw from the sidelines was converted to a shot but saved by some good work from the Colombo goalie. With that the first half of the match was played off and it was Colombo leading 01 : 0.
Mora side looked to have turned the tide in the first few minutes of the second half and it proved to be the case with a chance from a corner kick successfully taken by P.K.D Perera (02) who was playing some good defense for Mora side making the game level up again. Celebrations were all around with the spectators rejoicing with the players.
A moment of drama came along at around the 60 minute mark with a free kick being awarded for Colombo amidst the heavy protests of the Mora players but the chance was taken away from them with a superb save from the goalie. The resultant corner kick gave a shocking moment for the Mora side, with the shot narrowly being saved by the defense.
At the 62nd minute a strong teamwork from Colombo side paid off with their second goal coming from a shot by I. Mohammed (27) from the center of the goal box. It was 02 : 01 and the pressure was on the Mora side again.
They immediately started their charge to compensate for the loss, attacking the opponents’ goal twice with just a few minutes, once making the goalie work his while. That followed up with a free kick but it was not to be with the ball flying over the net.
The Mora fans were at the edge of their seats as a successful charge from the left wing player resulted in a shot to the goal but being deflected by the goalie towards the penalty box. It was not over yet though. The half time substitute player D.M.L.U Dissanayake (11) clinched the opportunity with open arms and placed the ball at the back of the net with a well targeted shot. Mora was back in the game.
Several other chances were opened up for both sides including a couple of free kicks and corner kicks. The ball possession was even between the two sides at the edge of the match but it was not over yet. At the 84th minute the victorious goal came for Colombo through R. Mohammed (07) who successfully converted a free kick into the net . A little bit of misunderstanding was seen from the Mora side but it was Colombo’s moment.
At the dying moments of the game the Mora side tried their best for an equalizer, even missing a chance through a free kick but it was not to be. It was the University of Colombo who emerged victorious at the final whistle by a goal score of 03 : 02.
The player that caught my eye was number 32 from University of Moratuwa, who was doing some eye-catching work in the center mid and center forward positions. He showed some strong defensive work, as well as offense.
University of Moratuwa will be facing University of Sri Jayewardenepura next while University of Colombo facing Uva Wellassa University of Srilanka.
We’ll be coming to you with news on the upcoming matches as well. Stay tuned with MoraSpirit!
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