Navy SC breathed new life into their Champions League campaign with a closely fought 3-2 win against Air Force SC whose own title aspirations now hangs in the balance.
Navy once again got out of the blocks quickly and led 2-0 inside the first 20 minutes but Air Force fought back to equalize with two goals in the next 20 minutes. Both sides exchanged opportunities in the papare band atmosphere but it the sailors’ day to dance when Nirmal Wijethunga scored the winner with minutes left.
Photo Album – Navy SC vs Air Force SC – Dialog Champions League 2015 (Super 8)
The Dialog Champions League Super 8 Round 2 match was important for both the sides as they were unable to register a win in the opening round. Air Force were swept away 4-1 by Colombo FC and Crystal Palace with two goals in the second half drew 2-2 with Navy.
Air Force created the first opportunity when Lakmal Gunasinghe’s first time ball over the defense saw Gayan Kalum on a free run, with goalkeeper Udayanga Reginold his shot was deflected and the rebound volley was acrobatically cleared away by Peter Charls.
As they did a week prior David Osagie gave the sailors the lead in the 12th minute when he ghosted in at the near post to power home a header from a Tharindu Eranga corner kick.
Six minutes later Mohamed Insaff who was making his first start doubled the lead. A free kick from deep inside their own-half by Charls was flicked behind and with Supem Fernando unable to clear on the first attempt Insaff taking advantage clipped it over Sanathana Pathum.
Air Force pulled a goal back when Kumara Lankesara rose above the on rushing Reginold to head in from a Kavindu Ishan corner. After a couple of chances were missed by Air Force to even the scores it was Lakmal Gunasinghe who made it happen when he followed through on the rebound from his own powerful drive which Reginold could only block into Gunasinghe’s path.
Gunasinghe almost gave the lead for the Airmen early in the second half when he was sent through into the box on the right side but instead of controlling the ball and taking the shot he opted to shoot on the volley which he sliced it wide.
Air Force were made to rue the missed chance in the 87th minute when substitute Nirmal Wijethunga headed in at the near post from a Chalana Chameera corner to give Navy the win.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Mohamed Insaff
What the Coaches had to say,
Navy Coach Dammika Athukorale: “We had two 
mistake to give away that early lead. We had a combination error with the strikers but in practice last week Insaff gelled well with David (Osagie) and it worked today as well. This was a tough match as both the sides are on the same level. We want to continue the step we took today and if we play like this in the next matches we can win.”
Tuwan Raheem Coach of Air Force: “We wanted to penetrate from the midfieldbut we had injury trouble from last match and before we attacked they attacked and scored the two goals. Boys played better in the second half compared to the first half and since wanted to win we kept on attacking and a small defensive lapse costed us the goal.”
