Naveen Jude scored a goal of dreams as Java Lane secured a 2-1 win against relegation threatened Matara City Club at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Mohamed Hassaan scored from the penalty spot soon after half time and Naveen added the second ten minutes from time with a scissors kick. Nuwan Sasikapriya scored an opportunistic goal deep into injury time but it was little too late for Matara City.
Having lost only one in six matches coming into the match, Java Lane were favourites to walk away with the three points against relegation doomed Matara City who were yet to register a win in four matches.
In sluggish conditions which curtailed the Java Lane blistering attack it was Matara City who kept a lid on the hosts’ scoring. Java Lane had the possession and the territory but were unable to make any inroads as Matara City looked defensively solid.
The wet outfield negated the attacks from the wings through Afam Akram and Mohamed Abdullah which left Java Lane frustrated. Against the run of play the visitors nearly took the lead when Nuwan Sasikapriya’s headed a corner but the crossbar came in his way with the goalkeeper stranded.
Towards the end of the first half Java Lane did manage to break down the defense of Matara City but the final touch evaded them as the first half ended goalless.
Java Lane came into the second half with renewed with a upset starring at their face and a chance to get three points and further strengthen their position in group B.
In the 54th minute Java Lane got the important opening goal from a Mohamed Hassaan penalty. Abdullah on the right wing breezed past two defenders only to be brought down inside the penalty box with a tackle from behind. Referee Hiran Udayakantha had no hesitation in awarding the penalty and Hassaan calmly slotted in the ball sending the goalkeeper the wrong way for his second of the season.
Even with the goal advantage the hosts were on a precarious position after failing to add more to their tally but the inclusion of Royal College and Sri Lanka U19 forward Naveen Jude changed all that as he scored a goal to remember.
A cross into the box saw the ball looping over to the far post where the shortest player on the field, Naveen leapt in the air and executed a Christian Benteke like scissors kick which fizzed past the goalkeeper and into the net, with ten minute remaining.
Sasikapriya scored the only goal for Matara City with an opportunistic toe pork deep into injury time but it was little too late for the visitors.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Mohamed Hassaan
