colombolions.com

[Mosquito]

KIRAN'S LAST ROAR
Heart Break for Lions

Colombo Lions 2 Seven Hearts 3
(McManus, Lister)

Hindu College, Layards Road, Saturday March 12 2005


Oh my! What a game! Ebb and flow, cut and thrust, shot and parry and the sort of see-sawing scoreline that sets spectators screaming.

Lions started brightly, dominating possession and controlling play against a well-organised and talented Seven Hearts side, and opened the scoring when Kiran "Feet of Fire" Hingorani, playing his last Lions' match, found Paul "Mucky" McManus with so much time and space that he was able to pick his spot and send a twenty-five yard shot curling, swerving and dipping beyond the despairing, flailing keeper into the net. 1-0 Lions, 7 goals for Mucky, and this probably the best for the timing, accuracy, skill, vision and courage. But, as so often before, Lions let the lead slip. Momentary miscommunication created mad confusion. A Seven Hearts player skipped through the static defence to chip cheekily over the advancing Asanga. A second goal followed as Seaman crashed down in the centre circle, knee twisted, and Seven Hearts' seven strikers faced just two Lions defenders, the midfield and forwards having given up the chase long before. Asanga made a breathtaking triple stop but the fourth toe poke he couldn't reach.

1-2. Half-time. Disappointment and niggles. Changes made. Dave "Mosquito" Brining came on for his first full forty-five minutes since October and for twenty-five minutes had nothing to do. Lions simply swamped the Seven Hearts. Twenty-five minutes camped in their half, with every Seven Hearts breakaway snuffed out or ruled offside within yards of the centre line. Finally the pressure told. A McManus freekick was met by the powerful and trademark header of Matthew "Gaffer" Lister, booked just a few minutes earlier for kicking the ball away. The Equaliser. 2-2.

A grandstand finish was in prospect but, as the time ticked away, frustration turned to frantic. Lions lost composure and shape. Seven Hearts showed their greater experience by regaining theirs, and their third, and winning goal, came as the strikers simply outran the defence. 2-3 and disappointment all round. However, this was a hugely enjoyable match against a good-spirited and generous opposition. Seven Hearts knew they'd had to battle for their victory, and come close to losing. They'd been in a match, and, for the first time, the Lions were applauded off the pitch by the victors.

And so we said farewell to the Feet of Fire. Kiran Hingorani's presence on the right wing has been inspiring and wonderful to watch. Four man of the match awards are evidence of this. He will be greatly missed. We wish him all the best and thank him for his contribution to this football club.



Next up, the Charity Shield at Royal College. Watch this space!


Team: Asanga (GK), Mohan (The Doc), Seaman, Kevin (K2), Karsten (Lion), Marlon (Giggsy), Matthew (Gaffer), Haseen (Speedster), Kiran (Feet of Fire), Paul (Mucky), Martyn (The Toe)

Subs: Anil, Chandu, Dave (Mosquito), Randall (Randy)

Man of the Match: Haseen.

By Mosquito