New Young SC were two goals behind until the 90th minute but struck twice during injury time taking advantage of poor defending by Negombo Youth to earn a draw in the Dialog Champions League match at CR&FC.
Despite the heavy rains in Colombo the season is heating up week after week. The mid table clash in group B was vital for both teams. Coming into the match New Youngs and Negombo Youth in 5th and 6th places respectively had a chance to take the fourth position in the group which would give them passage to the super eight – for that they needed to win their final couple of matches.
The match was delayed due to heavy rain prior to the start. Heavy outfield clearly affected both teams right throughout the match. It was a quiet first half for both teams, failing to find the back of the net.
There was a sense of urgency from both teams towards the end of the first half. The boys from Wennappuwa showed intent and class in that final passage of play before the break, but they were disappointing in finding that first goal.
The second half kicked off as both teams looked to draw first blood. First shot on goal came from the boot of Ankamah George of New Youngs. Kalum Milendra sent the ball towards the penalty box which was taken cleanly by George who could only manage to find the keeper.
On the other end Harindra Peries was denied by the crossbar when he fired the ball from outside the box. But he got his chance make up for that few minutes later when he scored his first goal of the match. Pradeep Fernando sent the ball across the box searching for his forwards and Harindra at the far post easily kicking the volley to the back of the net.
That 64th minute goal gave a big moral boost for the boys from Negombo which helped them to score their second goal minutes after they got the lead. It was Harindra again who found a way through the keeper to put his team way ahead in the game. Negombo Youth were cruising their way to victory.
Time was running out for New Youngs but they were on the hunt. Both teams lacked discipline, conceding six yellow and a red card right at the end. Bright Acooty of Negombo Youth was sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the match, putting his team down to ten men in the final few minutes. New Youngs continued to maintain possession during the last few minutes of the game, putting immense pressure on the Negombo defenders.
Negombo Youth’s defense was questionable in the second half as they weren’t able to clear away the ball to get their team out of trouble.
Four minutes of added time was left for the boys from Wennappuwa to find a way through to strike back. They finally did, it was their striker Ankamah George who chipped the ball over the keeper to give his team some hope in this match.
Negombo Youth didn’t seem to learn from their mistakes as they kept on giving away easy possession to their opponents. Into the final minute of added time and New Youngs found their magical equalizer. Adjei Richard crossing the ball towards the far post and Dasan Piuslas just managing to head the ball away from the keepers reach to the back of the net – New Youngs setting up one of the greatest comebacks this season.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Ankhama George
Mohommad Mushika, New Youngs skipper speaking to ThePapare.com:
“It was lost game for us but I’m overjoyed to see how we came back from behind. It was a must win game for us in order to stay alive in the tournament but we had to settle down for a draw. We are looking forward to put up a good performance in our final match against Navy next week.”
