Madushan takes Colombo FC could nine
View(s):K.A.D. Madushanka’s seventh minute strike was enough to pave the way for Colombo FC to their maiden Cargills Food City FA Cup Knockout Football Championship 2014 as they shut the doors and dashed the dreams of similarly ambitious Blue Star SC 1-0 in a closely contested final played under lights at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.
From the initial whistle Colombo FC and Blue Star — both chasing their first title shot of the FA Cup Championship, battled it out with vigour but without being paid off for their hard efforts. The halftime ended up with the final scoreline, as Colombo FC striker Madushanka walked away with the player of the match trophy in addition to a cash reward of Rs. 50,000. Despite conceding the vital goal Blue Star custodian Manjula Fernando was rewarded with the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award. Saunders’ striker Ruwan Kaushal de Silva won the Best Goal Scorer of the Tournament award. Colombo FC won the Cargills Food City FA Cup trophy and a handsome cash prize of Rs. 700,000 while the losing finalists Blue Star received Rs. 500,000 as cash award. In the semi-finals Colombo FC and Blue Star SC beat Army SC and Navy SC respectively in the semi-finals to reach the dream last Sunday. Both matches were decided on penalty shootouts after they ended in draws, 1-1 each. Colombo FC defeated Army by 4-2 while in a contrasting encounter Blues Star edged Navy 6-5.
The losing finalists Blue Star experienced the same fate last season when Army SC beat them 2-0 to clinch the coveted trophy in front of a record 20,000 plus fans. The Cargills Food City FA Cup 2014 was played island wide with over 628 clubs participating in an exciting knockout format competition.