Seychelles down Sri Lanka to claim Four-Nation Football Title

By Susil Premalal

Seychelles clinched the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy Four-Nation Football Tournament when they edged out Sri Lanka 3-1 on penalties in the final encounter played at the Racecourse Grounds in Reid Avenue on Friday.

Seychelles came from behind to hold Sri Lanka to a 3-3 draw at full-time and then delivered the final blow by scoring three goals and conceding just a solitary goal to the hosts during the penalty shootout.

Earlier, Sri Lanka took a 3-1 lead at one stage and looked set to win their first international football title after a lapse of 21 years. 

The hosts opened the scoring as early as the second minute of play when Marvin Hamilton produced a superb free-kick from midfield to completely deceive the Seychelles goal-keeper.

However, Emmanuel Jean produced the equaliser for the visitors when he executed a beautiful header shortly before half time as the two teams went into the break at 1-1.

After the turnaround, Sri Lanka took control of the situation and scored twice through Mohamed Aakib and Waseem Razeek in the 56th minute and 76th minute respectively.

But their joy was short lived as Seychelles bounced back with back-to-back goals from Stenio Marie (84th minute) and Elijah Tamboo (90th minute), which forced the final into a penalty shootout.

Sri Lanka Captain Sujan Perera was named Most Valuable Player of the Tournament while his teammate Waseem Razeek was named as the top goal scorer of the Tournament.

Main photo: The Seychelles team receiving the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy