Scintillating team performance enables SL down Bhutan in FIFA series

The two goal scores for Sri Lanka Oliver James Kelaart (9) and Dillion Senan De Silva (10) Player of the match celebrates after winning the game for their country defeating Bhutan 2-0 at Race Course Stadium on Monday

 By Althaf Nawaz

A scintillating performance by team Sri Lanka enabled them to defeat Bhutan by 2 goals to nil in their friendly soccer encounter played in the FIFA Series under lights at Race Course Stadium on Monday.

After being held to a nil all draw by Papua New Guinea a few days back in the curtain raiser, where they missed over a dozen chances, the Lankan dribblers put up a belligerent performance in the second half after a barren first 45 minutes of play.

Andy Morrison the Lankan head coach infused a different strategy in the second half which saw two classic goals. The player of the game Dillon Senan de Silva, who played a pivotal role, looked very nippy as he broke the deadlock. He sneaked through the rival defence soon after lemons to chip in a left footed kick which beat goalkeeper Hari Gurung. From there the local lads imposed more pressure on their rivals with some teasing moves.

Nine minutes later Oliver James Kelaart increased the lead for the Lankan team with another spectacular effort which beat the rival goalie all ends up. The game was then played at a tremendous pace as Bhutan looked to score and the Sri Lankans passed through some anxious moments.

Bhutan’s attempts to score were thwarted by some robust defensive play by the 204 ranked Lankan Lions, who shattered a decade long hoodoo and reopened a new chapter in Lankan Football.

Football Sri Lanka (FSL) inducted 14 players from various countries to don the National jersey on the basis their parents were born in Sri Lanka, along with a mix of some youthful and experienced players locally.

Incumbent President of FSL Jaswar Umar was instrumental in getting this series to be played in Colombo with the assistance FIFA President Gianni Infantino who was quite magnanimous in granting the green light for this new concept which involves teams who were unable to remain in the World Cup Qualifier stage.

Meshari Ali Al Shamari controlled the game.