Saunders SC secured full points in their final group stage encounter against Police with a 2-1 win at the Sugathadasa Stadium, to hold on to the last string of hope in making it to the top 8.
It was a humid evening in Colombo as we are yet to find out who will fill the fourth and final spot in Group A. Army and Crystal Palace had already secured safe passage while Air Force etched their name as the third with a win against Renown in midweek.
Coming into the match as many as five clubs were in contention to grab that final spot to advance to the super eight round including Saunders, Renown, Solid, Nandimithra and Police.
Saunders needed nothing less than a victory to hold on to the last string of hope but needed other results to go their way in the final week. Police too needed to win the final two matches for them to qualify.
Saunders were under pressure after their loss to Crystal Palace in their previous match but they were upto the task from the beginning as they made early inroads in the first few minutes. Young Suntheraraj Niresh together with Dilan De Silva created few chances during first quarter of the match.
First shot on goal came from the boot of Saunders striker Niresh through a well taken free kick from just outside the box, Police goalkeeper was upto the task this time. Police too had their moments in the first half. The best chance they got was when Pradeep Kumara curved the ball in from a corner which was deflected over the crossbar by Saunders goalkeeper.
Rohana Ruwanthilaka conceded a yellow card for purposefully handling the ball with the hand which almost cost his team a goal. Free kick was taken by Shanmugaraja Sanjeev who found the target but the goalkeeper saved a certain goal.
Saunders did not take too long to draw first blood in the second half. Once again it was Suntheraraj Niresh who sent the ball through the defense line letting Mohamed Shaheel run to open space just in front of the box. Police goalkeeper had no choice but to charge in, Shaheel seeing his team mate making a good run on the left chipped the ball over the goalkeeper’s head. Mohamed Ismath timing the run perfectly and making sure the ball finds the back of the net.
Police created chances but just like in the first half they were unable to find that final touch. Sampath Pathirana sent across some teasing crosses but Police forwards weren’t able to make it count.
In the 60th minute Saunders struck again and it was Niresh again playing a vital role in finding that second goal. The nimble footed youngster was always threatening with the ball at his feet which put the Police defense under pressure which in return cost them. This time Kumara Lankeshwara missing the tackle on Niresh and conceded a free kick just outside the box. Sanoj Sameera took the free kick, making sure the Police wall or their keeper doesn’t get to prevent the ball from finding the netting.
Police struck back in the 74th minute when Mohommad Rafeek who came in as substitute few minutes before headed the ball in to give some hope for Police in making a late comeback.
Towards the end Police looked threatening. But they kept missing these golden opportunities. As time was ticking away players were getting frustrated, there were few heated arguments between the players and referee. Five minutes of injury time were added but that was not enough for Police to find the equalizer.
Police having one more match against Renown, which will be important for Saunders as well. If they are to go into the next round Police will have to win their match against Renown. If not it will be curtains for both Police and Saunders.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Suntheraraj Niresh
Saunders skipper Sanoj Sameera speaking to ThePapare.com:
“I’m really happy with the result. Now we just have to wait and hope Police beat Renown in their next match.”
