Rain halts Champions League Soccer final

To be replayed on a later date:

Bernard Perera

The final of the Dialog Champions Trophy was abandoned 15 minutes before the final whistle due to rain when the match was called off by Referee G.N. Rubesh. Renown SC were leading 1-0.

The match got off to a fine start and both teams displayed fine soccer during the first half to return to the pavilion for lemons with a blank score sheet.

During this session, Airmen did not have any luck though they penetrated the defence of the Kotahena Club.

Their striker missed as many as five scoring opportunities while the shots that were taken by the Air Force strikers were well saved by the skipper and custodian of the Renown SC, S. Sathees Kumar. He was at his best though the ground conditions in the goal area was soggy.

The second session began with the teams looking for the most wanted goal to get in front. The battle intensified with the strikers making every effort to score.

The defence lines thwarted all these attempts while the custodians too performed their part well for nearly 12 minutes.

Renown SC top kicker M.L. Mohamed Ilyas had other ideas and was taking long range kicks with the sole intention of striking a goal. His effort proved successful when the shot he took from 25 metres away from the goal landed well into the net to put his side into the lead. The jubilant Renown SC kept pressure on the Airmen while the Air Force’s front runner kept on attacking to find the equaliser.

A.A.F. Rahuman who was shown the yellow card earlier was penalized again for rough play and was sent off the field reducing the number for Renown SC. Though they played with ten men they never allowed any opportunity for Airmen to get the much needed goal they were looking for.

With a heavy down pour with 15 minutes left followed by lightning and thunder the referee had no other option other than to call off the game for the safety of the players on the field.

This was a big disappointment for the fans who came to witness a top class final. Though the game came to an abrupt end the spectators enjoyed a top soccer fare.

According to reliable sources the final will be replayed. The date for the replay will be decided by the Tournament Committee, said an official of the FFSL.

In addition to the red card shown to Rahuman few more warnings too was signalled by the referee.

The Tournament Committee will have a tough time rescheduling the final as the national team is due to leave for Bangkok and Bangladesh on November 27 and is expected to be back in mid-December.

As few players from both teams are involved in this tour the final may be delayed until their arrival.

It is left for the Tournament Committee to consider all these before reaching a decision when to have the replay.