Goals by Zarwan Johar and Bodrie Dimitri either side of halftime gave Colombo FC an improbable 2-0 win over Army as they clinched the Dialog Champions League, in a thrilling finale.
Photo Album – Colombo FC v Army SC – Dialog Champions League 2015 (Super 8)
Fan Album – Dialog Champions League 2015 Finale
Colombo FC knew they needed to win by two goals after Renown defeated Navy 5-4 in the early kick-off as they went into half time with Zarwan’s goal. Dimitri doubled the soon after half time and Colombo FC consolidated the lead through defending in numbers and frustrating Army for the rest of the 90 minutes.
The pressure was on Colombo FC, more so than Army who just needed a win, where after the first match result Colombo needed more than a two goal margin of victory to win the championship by a single goal on goal difference.
Surprisingly Colombo FC went in with a defensive line up opting to give a debut appearance for Mohamed Mufees, instead of the veteran captain Rawme Mohideen, in a pressure cooker of a match while Niran Kanishka was preferred over Danushka Madushanka.
The lack of midfield control by Colombo gave Army the advantage as Sanka Danushka and Nadeeka Pushpakumara gained the upper hand creating chances and putting the opponents further on to the back foot.
Colombo had their custodian Mohamed Imran to thank for as he pulled off a few brilliant saves including two one on one situations from Mohamed Issadeen and Punsara Thiruna as Army kept hammering at the defense.
Colombo FC weathered the Army barrage for almost the entirety of the first half but they had the last laugh as a slick move on the left brought about their first goal in the 40th minute.
Army was dispossessed inside Colombo FC half as Zarwan and Dimitri exchanged passes and Zarwan released Ziya Osman on the left who returning the favour found Zarwan inside the box and the former U19 captain audaciously clipped it over Nilanka Kumara with a side foot.
There were more reasons to celebrate soon after the start of the second half as Zarwan sent a cross from the right where Asikoor Rahuman missed his clearance allowing Dimitri ample time and space to slot it past Kumara into the far corner.
Army with a mountain to climb pushed men forward as Colombo FC looked more on defending the winning two goal margin. Colombo brought on the reinforcements, Mohideen and Danushka Madushanka as a defensively solid Colombo frustrated Army, especially Momas Yapo who bullied the midfield.
Army looked more and more clueless, unable to break the defense with no one to inspire, even with Sanka Danushka who pulled every string in his armoury as euphoria engulfed the Colombo FC camp and fans at the sound of the final whistle.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Mohamed Imran
What they had to say;
Colombo FC coach Mohamed Roomy;
“I put six defenders and kept our formation compact giving Army no room to attack. Our first plan was to stop Army in the first half, where they are most lethal and was happy to get the lead. We used the counter attacks well and when we lost the ball everyone came back behind the ball.”
Mohamed Fawmy, Army coach;
“We didn’t take our chances, which have plagued us for a long time even though we have won in the past. You cannot win if you don’t put away easy chances, one on one chances with just the goalkeeper to beat.”
