Serendib crush SLTB; Saunders overcome Crystal Palace
Serendib SC and Saunders SC experienced contrasting wins on the second gameday of the FSL Champions League 2025 football competition in two matches played at the Racecourse ground in Colombo yesterday.
Serendib SC produced a powerful performance to record a massive 6-0 win over Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) in the first game played in the afternoon while Saunders bounced back to snatch a 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace SC later in the night under lights.
Serendib struck six goals in the first half - Pic by Eshan Fernando
Serendib took the lead in the first minute when captain and forward Mohamed Aashir finished a quick move inside the box, followed by their second in the fifth minute from forward Darko Geroge and another through midfielder Mohamed Rahuman, who struck in the ninth minute, giving Serendib a 3-0 cushion as SLTB struggled to stop the pressure.
In the 24th minute, midfielder Charles Kwabena added another goal as Serendib attacked from all angles, and with the fifth goal coming from forward Frimpong Yaw in the 35th minute, SLTB became mere spectators. The final goal of the first half came in the 37th minute when Rahuman guided the ball into the net after a defensive mistake. Serendib walked into halftime with a strong 6-0 lead, and the match was already decided, as both teams failed to score in the second half.
In the game followed, Crystal Palace struck the first goal in the 44th minute when skipper and defender Mohamed Shemak successfully took charge of a penalty kick, but their brief lead came to an end with an equaliser from defender S.M. Priyadharshana, who struck for Saunders just before halftime. Both sides fought to overpower the other with the scores levelled at 1-all even during extra time, until Crystal Palace goalkeeper was yellow carded at 90+8, awarding a direct penalty kick to Saunders. Forward Sundraj Niresh struck the winning goal for Saunders.