Colombo FC qualified for their first ever FA Cup final defeating reigning Champions Army SC 4-2 on penalties after it ended 1-1 in normal time at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Minutes into the second half Dilan Madushanka finished off a Bodrie Dimitri move to give Colombo FC the lead but straight from the restart Army equalized with Colombo FC players still celebrating in their own half. In the penalty shootout Pushpakumara struck the upright and captain Y.L.Jayathunga missed the fourth and decisive penalty for Army while Colombo FC converting all their penalties emerged victorious.
The last time these two teams met in the FA Cup were last year’s semifinals where Mohamed Issadeen’s brace gave Army a 2-1 win with Ahamed Shazny scoring for Colombo FC. Since then they met in the Dialog Champions League with Colombo FC coming from behind to draw the match 2-2.
Colombo FC survived a brutal assault by Keteriyans while leading 1-0 in the ‘last 32’ round and won on penalties against Java Lane 4-3 after it ended 1-1 in regular time in the pre-quarters. In the quarter final they swept away 20 times champions Saunders SC 4-2 with late goals.
Army got a walkover from Crystal Palace in the ‘last 32’ round and won 3-1 against six times FA Cup winners, Renown SC in the pre quarter before strolling through to a 2-0 win against Up-Country Lions in the quarter final.
Both sides created opportunities in the first half but the goalkeepers – Mohamed Imran for Colombo FC and Kumara Sirisena for Army pulled off brilliant saves to deny goals. They had to be at their best against two of the most potent attacks with Sirisena making a near post save from a volley by Dimitri and Imran a fingertip save after Mohamed Issadeen tried to dink it over the goalkeeper.
Imran made a diving save from a Sajith Kumara header while Sirisena just managed to tip the ball to the crossbar a Dimitri curling free kick. Sirisena needed some luck as well when a cross headed by Momas Yapo bounced off the upright and managed to save the rebound.
It was a totally new formation introduced by Colombo FC coach Mohamed Roomy, where he used a 4-1-3-2 with Raumi Mohideen in attack, A.C.Frank in midfield and the usual starting forward, Dilan Madushanka in the bench. It was a tactical move to stop the free scoring Army and limit their ball possession in midfield with an eye on attacking in the second half.
Dilan Madushanka was introduced seconds before halftime and just 5 minutes into the second half he gave Colombo FC the lead. Dimitri weaved himself pass two defenders and cut across the goal from the byline and Madushanka ghosting his way behind the defense tucked it away at far post.
The jubilation was short lived as straight from the restart Army through Sajith Kumara equalized with Colombo FC players still celebrating inside their own half. The rule book has nothing against the decision hence all the Colombo FC players were inside their own half which gives the referee the right to restart play. The players and coaching staff showed their displeasure but continued to play.
Not much happened in the second half in scoring chances with back and forth action in midfield. Punsara Thiruna had the chance late in the match but his chipped effort was palmed away for a corner by Imran.
In the penalty shootout Momas Yapo, Bodrie Dimitri, Rizni Mohamed and A.C.Frank all converted while Pushpakumara struck the upright in the first kick and Jayathunga missed the goal with his side needing him to convert.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Mohamed Imran
