We are into the sixth week of this years’ Dialog champions league the premier tournament for Sri Lanka Football. As teams settle into their groove, the tournament is getting poised by the week.
Two big teams in group B went head to head at City Football Complex on Sunday the 30th. It was the unbeaten table toppers Colombo FC who took on New young SC who is in the third place in the table. Colombo FC surely looked the better side but New Young SC are not so far behind this star studded Colombo FC side.
Colombo kicked off proceedings and showing their confidence from the word go they went hard at their opponents who looked unsettled by this onslaught by the mighty Colombo FC. Majority of possession was taken by Colombo FC in the first half even though they couldn’t make it count. They got close during the first ten minutes when their captain AC Frank found the crossbar at the far corner through a powerful free kick taken just outside the penalty box. Colombo is known for their strong attacking forwards who did not take too much time to hit their stride as they kept creating chances to get ahead in the game. New Young’s on the other hand took time to settle their nerves but their defense was up to the task in the first half.
The boys from Vennappuwa had their moments in the first half, thanks to their main striker Ankamah George. He lead their counterattack and he was threatening in almost every occasion he got the ball under his chin. Colombo FC defense was lacking match awareness throughout the match, maybe it was the over confidence of being the unbeaten side in group B affecting their concentration. They certainly looked rusty right throughout. New Young’s on the other hand were looking positive even though they were hit hard in the first half. Twenty eight minutes into the game, the boys from Vennappuwa drew first blood as Ankamah George found the back of the net through a well taken corner by Appiah Dziea. It was the ideal start for New Young’s SC in this big clash.
The latter part of the second half was dominated by New Young’s SC. Colombo players were showing signs of frustration, conceding yellow cards as well. It is fair to say Colombo were more consistent than New Young’s but New Young’s went into the break with a lot of confidence and a goal under their name.
Half time : New Young’s SC 01 – Colombo SC 00
New Young’s looked a better side in the second half. Even though they were one up in the game they didn’t hold back. They kept probing at their opponents. There were a few shots on goal which was well dealt with by goal keeper Mohommad Imran. Twelve minutes into the second half Ankamah George scored his second goal of the match. The ball was lobbed into the penalty box, Imran ran in to catch but George getting there before him and chipping it over his head, put his team two-nil up in the game. Table toppers were under tremendous pressure; this is when the seniors needed to step in to the game for Colombo and they surely did. Zarvan Johar played a vital role in controlling the game from the middle while AC frank and Dmitri tried to find the back of the net. With the inclusion of R Mohideen in the latter part of the second half, Colombo FC found more control of the game.
In the 64th minute Colombo finally found the back netting. It was AC frank who headed the ball right over the goalkeeper from a kick by their own goalkeeper which bounced perfectly for him to head it over. Colombo were right back in the game. Their intensity was high and they were focused in finding that magical equalizer. New Young’s SC in the other hand looked tired and they were somewhat relaxing towards the latter part of the match. Colombo FC took total advantage out of it as they found that equalizer in the 78th minute. It was all thanks to Zarvan Johar who did all the hard work. Won his team a free kick just outside the penalty box which was taken by Mohideen who went for goal but the ball was deflected from the ball. Zarvan quickly getting to the ball and firing it in to keep his teams unbeaten run in tact.
ThePapapre Man of the Match : Ankamah George
Manager of New Young’s SC speaking to ThePapare :
“I’m really proud about my boys. They are an inexperienced young side with a lot of U19 players but we gave them a hard time. We should have won the game if not for the mistakes we did in the latter part of the second half but nevertheless I’m very happy with out performances.”
