Blue Star emerge Semi Professional LSL champions

The champion Blue Star SC Team with FSL President Umar Jaswar and other officials  

By Susil Premalal  

Blue Star SC, Kalutara emerged champions of the inaugural Lanka Super League (LSL) Semi-Professional Football Tournament, which concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.

Sea Hawks FC became the runner-up while Colombo FC won the third place.

The tournament was conducted by Football Sri Lanka (FSL) at a cost of Rs 100m and all participating teams received cash awards. The awards presentation will take place on January 18. 

Blue Star SC finished on top of the points table with 22 points from their allotted nine matches and went on to win a cash award of Rs 5m.

Champion team Blue Star SC, led by Mohammed Fahir, notched up seven victories, drew one and lost only a solitary game during their successful campaign.

Blue Star SC and Colombo FC were level on points with 19 points each going into their last game and the former added the finishing touches by defeating Blue Eagles SC 3-2 at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

Blue Star SC were reduced to 10-men as they suffered a major setback in this vital game after Mohamed Arshadh was sent off the field in the 34th minute following a red card.     

 
In the previous matches, Blue Star SC beat New Youngs FC 4-1, Defenders FC 3-1, Sea Hawks FC 3-0, Upcountry Lions FC 2-1, Ratnam SC 3-0, Colombo FC 1-0 and Blue Eagles SC 3-2.

They drew with Renown SC 0-0 and lost to Red Star FC 2-4.

Shenal Sandesh of Blue Star SC became the top goal scorer of the tournament along with 10 goals.