A.C. Frank, turned out a hopeless game to victorious glory as Colombo FC came from a goal behind to grab victory 2-1 in the latter stages against Super Sun SC at the City League Complex.
Colombo FC is one of the best teams in the ongoing league having not lost a single match in five. Nevertheless, Super Sun did not let them steal the show without a fight. Skipper Raumy Mohideen and center back Mohamed Ramees pushed beyond their limits to give a wonderful football show. If not for Ramees and Ziya Osman, the boys from Beruwala would have conceded more goals.
Star striker, Zarwan Johar did not live upto expectation as an injury forced him off in the second half. As usual the 3 overseas members in Colombo FC were outstanding, which is also a huge threat to all the other teams. The combination they got with the other team members is what makes them successful.
Silmy Hassan, skipper of Super Sun and his squad battled it out against the Colombo giants from the very beginning as they had more chances than the opponents in the first half. Strikers Faizal Ramees and Nuwan Priyankara owned the move till the very last moment but none of them turned out to be goals.
Left Footer Nuwan Priyankara was on point with his dribbling skills which was a major trouble for opponent defender Fayazil. The other two foreign strikers held on and gave a fight, especially center midfielder Bonsu Kwabena ran up and down in attack & defense. An intense first half went past without a goal for both teams.
Second half started with the heat of the previous half and it also increased when the score scheme opened up for Super Sun. Mohamed Farhan walked in as a substitute for right winger Rifhan who got lucky to score the first goal in such a tensed up game. Nuwan Priyankara’s cross from the left corner of the pitch took away couple of defenders off focus. Farhan ran up to the penalty position and was standing alone next to Colombo FC defender Rizni and goalkeeper Imran Nazeer. Farhan headed the ball to the nets which went over Imran as he ran towards Farhan to collect the ball. Bad timing by Imran cost the goal.
Since Super Sun got the goal, they started to defend with all the players and only one striker was left on the attacking area. Poor mistake done by the Super Sun defender was an advantage for Frank. Right back Murshid pulled Frank by his jersey inside the penalty box. Referee had to award and penalty and Frank scored the equalizer.
After the equalizer, coach Roomy used the most dangerous weapon he had. Striker Madushanka walked in from the bench and everyone realized the change is going to happen. Without any delay the second goal was also scored by Frank. Standing on top of the penalty box, Madushanka made a shot on target and Frank had the opportunity to intercept to score the goal. Colombo FC took the lead in the game for the first time from a comeback.
In the last minute, former Sri Lanka midfielder Chathura Gunarathna got the chance to boot a free kick on top of the box. Gunarathne is famous for his last minute free kicks. That nail biting moment was easily saved by Imran. Colombo FC stole the game with a comeback.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: A.C. Frank
