News

St. Joseph beat St. Peter by 5 wickets to regain the Rev.Fr Peter Pillai Memorial shield

Published

3 years ago

May 1, 2023

Editor

49th ‘Battle of the Saints’ limited over the encounter

An all-round performance helped St. Joseph’s College register a 5-wicket win over St. Peter’s College in the 49th ‘Battle of the Saints’ limited over the encounter and regain Rev.Fr Peter Pillai Memorial shield worked off at SSC grounds, Colombo on Sunday.

Batting first, the boys from Bambalapitya were bundled out for 156 runs despite Nathen David’s lone cameo, and in reply, the Josephian’s achieved the target in just 40.2 overs.

Oween Salgado and Nathen David walked out to open the innings for Peterites, but their partnership was short-lived, with Oween’s being the first wicket to fall for just 4 runs.

In came one down batter Nimuthu Gunawardene. He too failed to hang on as he was caught behind Avintha de Alwis’ bowing to make things worse for S. Peters.

With the scoreboard reading 42-2, Rusanda Gamage joined Nathen David in the middle and the duo revived the innings to a certain extent with a 57-run partnership for the third wicket.

The duo smashed the opposition bowlers all over the park, where at one stage it looked like they would single-handedly bat the allotted 50 overs and take their team to a total of at least 250.

However, things changed quickly as Josephian’s had the last laugh when rising star Shevon Daniel got the breakthrough to send Rusanda (32) back to the pavilion when he was caught at the boundary in the 26th over, and St. Joseph’s gained back the momentum.

After the breakthrough, St. Joseph’s bowlers didn’t allow any breathing space for the opposition to settle down, as they continued bowling good lines and lengths to put constant pressure. Nathen David was the only batter to trouble the bowling attack, and apart from him none of the other batters posed a threat to the Josephian’s.

Nathen went on to score a fighting 79 ball 53 runs including 4 boundaries before they were bowled out for a below-par score of 156 runs inside 41.5 overs.

In reply, it was a walk in the park for the Joesphian’s as they achieved the target in just 41.5 overs.

Hirun Matheesha was the architect of the chase top with a blistering 50 runs off 59 deliveries including 5 boundaries and a six, while Sadeesh Jayawardana (27) and Hiran Jaysundara (30) contributed with useful knocks to take their team home comfortably.

Earlier, the 89th Annual ‘Battle of the Saints’ ended in a draw on 29 April at the SSC Colombo due to bad weather.

Brief scores:

St. Peters: 156 (41.5) (Nathen David 53, Rusanda Gamage 32, Avintha de Alwis 3-27, Lahiru Amarasekara 2-37, Yenula Dewthusa 2-18, Shevon Daniel 2-33)

St. Joseph’s: 158-5 (40.2) (Hirun Matheesha 50, Hiran Jaysundara 30, Vishen Helambage 2-25)

ශාන්ත ජෝශප් පිල කඩුලු 5කින් ශාන්ත පීතර පිල පරදවා ගරු පීටර් පිල්ලේ අනුස්මරණ පලිහ යළි හිමිකර ගත්තේය.

49 වැනි ‘සාන්තුවරයන්ගේ සටන’ හමුවීම සීමා විය

තුන් ඉරියව් දස්කම් හේතුවෙන් ශාන්ත ජෝසප් විද්‍යාලය 49 වැනි ‘සාන්තුවරයන්ගේ සටන’ සීමාසහිත ශාන්ත පීතර විද්‍යාලයට එරෙහිව කඩුලු 5 ක ජයක් වාර්තා කිරීමට සමත් වූ අතර කොළඹ SSC ක්‍රීඩාංගණයේ දී වැඩ කරන ලද ගරු පීටර් පීටර් පිල්ලෙයි අනුස්මරණ පලිහ නැවත ලබා ගැනීමට සමත් විය. ඉරිදා.

පළමුවෙන් පන්දුවට පහර දුන් බම්බලපිටියේ ක්‍රීඩකයෝ නේතන් ඩේවිඩ්ගේ හුදකලා ආරාධිතයා නොතකා ලකුණු 156කට දැවී ගිය අතර පිළිතුරු ලෙස ජෝසප් ක්‍රීඩකයෝ ඕවර 40.2කදී එම ඉලක්කය සපුරා ගත්හ.

Peterites සඳහා ඉනිම ආරම්භ කිරීමට Oween Salgado සහ Nathen David ඉවත්ව ගිය නමුත් ඔවුන්ගේ සබඳතාව කෙටිකාලීන වූ අතර Oween ගේ පළමු කඩුල්ල ලකුණු 4කට පමණක් දැවී ගියේය.

වන් ඩවුන් පිතිකරු නිමුතු ගුණවර්ධන පැමිණියේය. එස් පීටර්ස්ගේ තත්ත්වය තවත් නරක අතට හැරීම සඳහා අවින්ද ද අල්විස්ගේ දණ නමා පිටුපසට හසුවීම නිසා ඔහුද එල්ලී සිටීමට අසමත් විය.

ලකුණු පුවරුව 42-2ක් ලෙස සටහන් වෙද්දී නේතන් ඩේවිඩ් සමගින් එක්ව සිටි රුසඳ ගමගේ තෙවැනි කඩුල්ලට ලකුණු 57ක සබඳතාවයක් ගොඩනැගූ අතර ඔවුන් දෙදෙනාම යම් දුරකට ඉනිමට පණ දුන්හ.

ඔවුන් දෙදෙනා උද්‍යානය පුරා ප්‍රතිවාදී පන්දු යවන්නන් බිඳ දැමූ අතර, එක් අවස්ථාවකදී ඔවුන් නියමිත පන්දුවාර 50 තනි අතින් පන්දුවට පහර දී තම කණ්ඩායම අවම වශයෙන් ලකුණු 250 දක්වා ගෙන යනු ඇති බවක් පෙනෙන්නට තිබුණි.

කෙසේ වෙතත්, 26 වැනි ඕවරයේදී හතරේ සීමාවේදී දැවී ගිය රුසැන්ඩා (32) නැවත මණ්ඩපයට යැවීමට නැගී එන ක්‍රීඩක ෂෙවෝන් ඩැනියෙල්ගේ පෙරළිය ජොසපියන්ස් පිලට ලැබුණු විට අවසන් සිනහව ඇති වූ විට සියල්ල ඉක්මනින් වෙනස් වූ අතර සාන්ත ජෝසප් ක්‍රීඩකයෝ නැවතත් වේගවත් වූහ.

ප්‍රගතියෙන් පසුව, ශාන්ත ජෝසප් පන්දු යවන්නන් ප්‍රතිවාදීන්ට කිසිදු හුස්ම ගැනීමේ ඉඩක් ලබා දුන්නේ නැත, ඔවුන් නිරන්තර පීඩනයක් ඇති කිරීම සඳහා හොඳ රේඛා සහ දිග දිගේ පන්දු යවමින් සිටියහ. පන්දු යැවීමේ ප්‍රහාරයට බාධා කළ එකම පිතිකරුවා වූයේ නේතන් ඩේවිඩ් වන අතර ඔහු හැර සෙසු පිතිකරුවන් කිසිවෙක් ජෝසප් පිතිකරුවන්ට තර්ජනයක් වූයේ නැත.

පන්දු 79කදී හතරේ පහර 4ක් සමඟින් ලකුණු 53ක් ලබා ගත් නේතන් ඕවර 41.5ක් ඇතුළත ලකුණු 156කට අඩුවෙන් දැවී ගියේය.

පිළිතුරු ලෙස ජෝස්පියන් ක්‍රීඩකයින් පන්දුවාර 41.5කදී එම ඉලක්කය සපුරා ගත් අතර එය උද්‍යානයේ ඇවිදීමකි.

පන්දු 59කදී හතරේ පහර 5ක් සහ හයේ පහරක් සමඟින් ලකුණු 50ක් රැස්කළ හිරුන් මතීෂ ලකුණු 50ක් ලබා ගත් අතර සදීෂ් ජයවර්ධන (27) සහ හිරාන් ජයසුන්දර (30) ප්‍රයෝජනවත් දස්කම් දක්වමින් තම කණ්ඩායම සුවපහසු ලෙස ගෙදර ගෙන යාමට දායක වූහ.

මීට පෙර, අයහපත් කාලගුණය හේතුවෙන් 89 වැනි වාර්ෂික ‘සාන්තුවරයන්ගේ සටන’ අප්‍රේල් 29 වන දින කොළඹ SSC හිදී ජය පරාජයෙන් තොරව අවසන් විය.

කෙටි ලකුණු:
සාන්ත පීතර: 156 (41.5) (නාදන් ඩේවිඩ් 53, රුසඳ ගමගේ 32, අවින්ත ද අල්විස් 3-27, ලහිරු අමරසේකර 2-37, යෙනුල දෙව්තුසා 2-18, ෂෙවෝන් ඩැනියෙල් 2-33)

ශාන්ත ජෝශප්: 158-5 (40.2) (හිරුන් මතීෂ 50, හිරාන් ජයසුන්දර 30, විශේන් හැලඹගේ 2-25)

புனித ஜோசப், செயின்ட் பீட்டரை 5 விக்கெட் வித்தியாசத்தில் தோற்கடித்து, திருத்தந்தை பீட்டர் பிள்ளை நினைவுக் கேடயத்தை மீட்டார்.

49வது ‘புனிதர்களின் போர்’ என்கவுண்டரில் மட்டுப்படுத்தப்பட்டது

ஆல்ரவுண்ட் ஆட்டத்தால் புனித ஜோசப் கல்லூரி 49வது ‘புனிதர்களின் போரில்’ செயின்ட் பீட்டர்ஸ் கல்லூரிக்கு எதிராக 5 விக்கெட் வித்தியாசத்தில் வெற்றி பெற்றது மற்றும் கொழும்பு SSC மைதானத்தில் பணிபுரிந்த புனிதர் பீட்டர் பிள்ளை நினைவுக் கேடயத்தை மீட்டெடுத்தது. ஞாயிறு அன்று.

முதலில் துடுப்பெடுத்தாடிய பம்பலப்பிட்டியைச் சேர்ந்த சிறுவர்கள் நேதன் டேவிட் தனித்து விளையாடினாலும் 156 ஓட்டங்களுக்கு ஆட்டமிழந்தனர், பதிலுக்கு ஜோசபியன் அணி 40.2 ஓவர்களில் இலக்கை எட்டியது.

ஓவீன் சல்கடோ மற்றும் நேதன் டேவிட் ஆகியோர் பீட்டரைட்டுக்காக இன்னிங்ஸைத் தொடங்க வெளியேறினர், ஆனால் அவர்களது பார்ட்னர்ஷிப் குறுகிய காலமே நீடித்தது, ஓவின் 4 ரன்களுக்கு முதல் விக்கெட்டை வீழ்த்தினார்.

ஒன் டவுன் பேட்டர் நிமுத்து குணவர்தன வந்தார். அவிந்த டி அல்விஸின் குனிந்து S. பீட்டர்ஸை மோசமாக்குவதற்குப் பின்னால் பிடிபட்டதால் அவரும் தொங்கத் தவறிவிட்டார்.

ஸ்கோர்போர்டு 42-2 ஆக இருந்த நிலையில், நடுவில் நாதன் டேவிட்டுடன் ருசண்டா கமகே இணைந்தார், இருவரும் மூன்றாவது விக்கெட்டுக்கு 57 ரன்கள் கூட்டாண்மை மூலம் இன்னிங்ஸை ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட அளவிற்கு மீட்டெடுத்தனர்.

இருவரும் பார்க் முழுவதும் எதிரணி பந்துவீச்சாளர்களை அடித்து நொறுக்கினர், அங்கு ஒரு கட்டத்தில் அவர்கள் தனித்தனியாக நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்ட 50 ஓவர்களை பேட் செய்து தங்கள் அணியை குறைந்தபட்சம் 250 ரன்களுக்கு கொண்டு செல்வார்கள் என்று தோன்றியது.

எவ்வாறாயினும், 26வது ஓவரில் பவுண்டரியில் கேட்ச் ஆனபோது, ருசாண்டாவை (32) பெவிலியனுக்கு அனுப்ப, எழுச்சி நட்சத்திரம் ஷெவோன் டேனியல் திருப்புமுனையைப் பெற்றபோது ஜோசபியன் கடைசியாகச் சிரித்ததால் விஷயங்கள் விரைவாக மாறியது, மேலும் செயின்ட் ஜோசப்ஸ் மீண்டும் வேகத்தைப் பெற்றது.

திருப்புமுனைக்குப் பிறகு, செயின்ட் ஜோசப் பந்துவீச்சாளர்கள் எதிரணியை நிலைநிறுத்த எந்த சுவாச இடத்தையும் அனுமதிக்கவில்லை, ஏனெனில் அவர்கள் தொடர்ந்து நல்ல லைன்கள் மற்றும் லென்த்களை தொடர்ந்து அழுத்தம் கொடுத்து பந்துவீசினர். நேதன் டேவிட் மட்டுமே பந்துவீச்சைத் தொந்தரவு செய்த ஒரே வீரர், அவரைத் தவிர மற்ற பேட்டர்கள் எவரும் ஜோசபியன்களுக்கு அச்சுறுத்தலாக இருக்கவில்லை.

நேதன் 79 பந்துகளில் 4 பவுண்டரிகள் உட்பட 53 ரன்கள் எடுத்து 41.5 ஓவர்களில் 156 ரன்களுக்கு குறைவான ஸ்கோரில் ஆட்டமிழந்தார்.

பதிலுக்கு, 41.5 ஓவர்களில் ஜோஸ்பியன்ஸ் வெற்றி இலக்கை அடைந்தது.

ஹிருன் மதீஷா 59 பந்துகளில் 5 பவுண்டரிகள் மற்றும் ஒரு சிக்ஸர் உள்ளடங்கலாக 50 ஓட்டங்களை விளாசினார், அதே சமயம் சதீஷ் ஜயவர்தன (27) மற்றும் ஹிரன் ஜெயசுந்தரா (30) ஆகியோர் தங்கள் அணியை வசதியாக வீட்டிற்கு அழைத்துச் செல்ல பயனுள்ள ஆட்டங்களால் பங்களித்தனர்.

முன்னதாக, 89வது வருடாந்த ‘புனிதர்களின் போர்’ மோசமான வானிலை காரணமாக கொழும்பு SSC இல் ஏப்ரல் 29 அன்று சமநிலையில் முடிந்தது.

சுருக்கமான மதிப்பெண்கள்:
செயின்ட் பீட்டர்ஸ்: 156 (41.5) (நேதன் டேவிட் 53, ருசன்டா கமகே 32, அவிந்த டி அல்விஸ் 3-27, லஹிரு அமரசேகர 2-37, யெனுலா டெவ்துசா 2-18, ஷெவோன் டேனியல் 2-33)

செயின்ட் ஜோசப்ஸ்: 158-5 (40.2) (ஹிருன் மதீஷா 50, ஹிரன் ஜெயசுந்தர 30, விஷேன் ஹெலம்பகே 2-25)

Football

AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers – Sri Lanka Still in the Race: All Possible Qualification Scenarios Explained

Published

2 days ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

With four matchdays completed in the AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers – 3rd Round, Sri Lanka remain firmly in contention for a historic qualification from Group D, where Turkmenistan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Chinese Taipei are battling for two places.

After Tuesday’s fixtures, the Group D table stands as follows:

Turkmenistan – 9 pts (GD +3)
Thailand – 9 pts (GD +6)
Sri Lanka – 6 pts (GD +1)
Chinese Taipei – 0 pts (GD –10)

Sri Lanka’s performances so far – including the landmark 1–0 victory over Turkmenistan in Colombo and a strong 3–1 win against Chinese Taipei at home – have kept the Lions within striking distance of the top two.

With two matches remaining, Sri Lanka’s qualification pathway is mathematically alive. Here is the full breakdown of how the team can still qualify, based on a complete analysis of all possible outcomes.

Remaining Fixtures – Group D

18 November 2025

Sri Lanka vs Thailand – Colombo
Turkmenistan vs Chinese Taipei – Arkadag

31 March 2026

Chinese Taipei vs Sri Lanka – Taipei
Thailand vs Turkmenistan – Bangkok

Each match is crucial, and the standings could shift dramatically depending on these four results.

Mathematical Analysis: How Sri Lanka Can Qualify

Our complete outcome analysis (covering all 81 possible result combinations from the four remaining matches) shows:

Sri Lanka finish in the top two in 28 out of 81 scenarios

– This means there is still a realistic pathway to qualification.

In 10 of the 28 scenarios, Sri Lanka qualify directly on points

– No tie-breakers needed.
– These are the strongest and most secure qualification routes.

In 18 scenarios, Sri Lanka finish tied on points for 1st/2nd

– In these cases, qualification will depend on AFC’s tie-breakers:

Head-to-head points
Head-to-head goal difference
Head-to-head goals scored
Overall goal difference
Goals scored

Because Sri Lanka’s current goal difference is lower than both Turkmenistan and Thailand, big winning margins in the remaining matches may be crucial.

Key Pathways for Sri Lanka to Reach the AFC Asian Cup

1. Win Against Thailand in Colombo – The Game-Changer

This is the single most important fixture.
Most qualification scenarios begin with:

Sri Lanka defeat Thailand on 18 November

A win at home puts Sri Lanka level on 9 points and pulls Thailand back into the contest. This result alone dramatically increases the qualification probability.

2. Beat Chinese Taipei Away on 31 March

Chinese Taipei have lost all matches so far with a goal difference of –10.
A win here is essential, and:

A high-margin victory improves Sri Lanka’s tie-break position

If qualification comes down to goal difference or goals scored, the result in Taipei could be decisive.

3. The Best-Case, Most Realistic Route

The following sequence delivers the strongest qualification guarantee:

Sri Lanka beat Thailand (Colombo)

Sri Lanka beat Chinese Taipei (Taipei)

This takes Sri Lanka to 12 points, and in most scenarios, that total is enough for a top-two finish.

However, in some combinations where Turkmenistan and Thailand also reach 12, the group ends in a three-way tie, and tie-breakers become critical. In such cases, Sri Lanka must have:

A strong winning margin over Chinese Taipei
A multi-goal win over Thailand (improves head-to-head and GD)

4. If Sri Lanka Draw Against Thailand

Qualification is still possible, but only if:

Turkmenistan drop points against Chinese Taipei on 18 November

This is unlikely on paper but remains mathematically possible.
In this scenario, Sri Lanka must also beat Chinese Taipei away.

5. If Sri Lanka Lose to Thailand

The road becomes extremely difficult.

Sri Lanka would need:

Chinese Taipei to upset Turkmenistan, and
Thailand to beat Turkmenistan in the final match,
Plus Sri Lanka winning away in Taipei.

This combination is possible but highly improbable.

What Sri Lanka Must Do: A Simple Roadma

1. Win against Thailand in Colombo – absolutely vital

The qualification race effectively hinges on this match.

2. Win big against Chinese Taipei

Every goal matters. A +3/+4 margin can change the tie-breaker battle entirely.

3. Hope for Turkmenistan to drop points

Even a draw against Chinese Taipei would be hugely beneficial for Sri Lanka.

4. Improve goal difference

Essential if the group ends in a points tie.

Conclusion: Sri Lanka’s Dream Still Alive

Sri Lanka stand at a crucial yet promising point in their AFC Asian Cup 2026 qualifying journey.
With two matches left and a direct showdown against Thailand at home, the Lions have a real opportunity to push for a historic qualification.

Victory in Colombo on November 18 could ignite the nation’s hopes and set up a thrilling final matchday in March 2026.

Sri Lanka remain in the fight — and the path to the AFC Asian Cup is still wide open.

Football

Quarter Finals Set for Lifebuoy Bodywash Ball Blaster 2025 – Four Epic Battles Await!

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

After weeks of intense group-stage action across the island, the Lifebuoy Bodywash Ball Blaster 2025 – 1st XI School Football Challenge Trophy now heads into its Quarter Final stage with eight of the country’s top school football teams set to battle for a place in the semi-finals.

The group phase produced thrilling matches, dramatic finishes, and moments of pure school football passion, and now the competition reaches its knockout phase where every goal — and every mistake — will count.

🏆 Quarter Final Line-Up

Quarter Final 1
Zahira College, Colombo 🆚 Vaddakkachchi Central College
📅 5th November | ⏰ 8.30 AM | 📍 City League Grounds
Zahira College, one of the tournament favorites, will look to continue their dominant form against the spirited Vaddakkachchi Central College, who impressed in their provincial campaign to earn a historic spot in the final eight.

Quarter Final 2
Kalutara Muslim Central College 🆚 Gateway College
📅 5th November | ⏰ 11.00 AM | 📍 City League Grounds
Unbeaten so far, Kalutara Muslim Central College will face the technically disciplined Gateway College in a tactical showdown that promises end-to-end action.

Quarter Final 3
St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 🆚 Royal College, Colombo
📅 5th November | ⏰ 1.30 PM | 📍 City League Grounds
A Colombo classic awaits as Royal College step into the quarter finals following a protest decision that eliminated Aligar Central College. St. Joseph’s, Group C leaders, will aim to maintain their strong run in what is expected to be a fierce and emotional derby encounter.

Quarter Final 4
Hameed Al Husseini College 🆚 Darussalaam College
📅 5th November | ⏰ 4.00 PM | 📍 City League Grounds
Two of the most passionate teams in the competition collide in the day’s final fixture. Expect a physical, high-tempo contest as both sides chase their dream of a semi-final berth.

🎥 LIVE COVERAGE

All four matches will be broadcast live on Sri Lankan Sports TV, giving fans across the nation a front-row seat to witness the best of Sri Lankan school football.

The Lifebouy Ball Blaster 2025 continues to deliver on its promise of promoting youth football, sportsmanship, and school pride, powered by Lifebuoy Bodywash — encouraging young athletes to play clean, play strong, and play fair.

Football

Lifebuoy Bodywash Ball Blaster 2025: Quarter-Final Lineup Shapes Up with Thrilling Group Stage Battles

Published

3 weeks ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

The Lifebuoy Bodywash Ball Blaster 2025 has reached the most exciting stage yet as teams battle for quarter-final glory.

In Group B, Kalutara Central College has stamped their authority with 2 wins from 2 matches, boasting a flawless defense and an impressive +2 goal difference. The battle for the second spot is wide open between Royal College and Alighar Central College, both on 3 points and looking to secure their place in the knockout rounds. Maris Stella College has unfortunately bowed out after a tough group stage.

Meanwhile, Group C promises drama in the final match between St. Patrick’s College and St. Joseph’s College. A win for Joseph will see them top the group, while Patrick could sneak into the quarter-finals with a narrow 1-0 victory. A draw would favor Joseph’s qualification on goal difference.

The quarter-finals, scheduled for 5th November at City League, will feature the following fixtures:

Q1: Zahira College, Colombo 🆚 Vaddakachchi Central College – 8:30 AM
Q2: Kalutara Central College 🆚 St. Joseph’s College / St. Patrick’s College – 11:00 AM
Q3: Gateway College/ St. Joseph’s College 🆚 Royal / Alighar – 1:30 PM
Q4: Hameed Al Husseinie College 🆚 Darussalaam College – 4:00 PM

Fans can expect high-octane football and edge-of-the-seat action as Sri Lanka’s brightest school football talents compete for the prestigious Lifebuoy Bodywash Ball Blaster Trophy 2025. Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for live coverage, match updates, and exclusive interviews.