Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy 2021: Star Waseem takes Sri Lanka to final

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lankan football sensational Waseem Razeek was omnipresent when he put his team through to the final when they beat the visiting Bangladesh outfit 2/1 in the Inaugural Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy 2021 at Race Course grounds under lights.

At the short breather Sri Lanka led 1/0.

Waseem who was unstoppable scored a goal piece in each of the half, including a penalty kick in the late stages of the game. This win put Sri Lanka ahead of Maldives and Bangladesh and take the hosting nation in to the much-looked forward final against the Seychelles tomorrow.

The game was played in electrifying pace in front of a packed home crowd. Sri Lanka displayed high quality of football which took them through to the final encounter.

The home team drew first blood in the 25th minute of the game, Waseem Razeek scored the first one. Two of the home team played were injured as the progress was somewhat hampered and put them on the back foot. Kavindu Ishan and Dillon de Silva who were in sparkling form were taken off due to injuries.

After the turn around Sri Lanka scored their second goal also through hero, Waseem while Bangladesh scored their only goal through Jewel Rana.

The referee will be Mohammedh Al Shammari (Qatar).

The Final will take place tomorrow under lights at 7 p.m.