5 red cards were dished out throughout the 9 matches played in the second gameweek of the Dialog Champions League during the weekend.
Super Sun SC from Beruwala conceded 4 goals for the second straight gameweek as they lost to Colombo SC 4-1 at Zahira grounds on Saturday. For Colombo SC Mohamed Fayasil opened the scoring in the 40th minute. They doubled their lead soon after the break through Mohamed Mohideen. Yinka pulled a goal back for the hosts on the hour mark but goals in the 73rd and 78th minutes by Dimitri and Rizni respectively saw the lads from Colombo secure a comfortable 3 points and top the Group A standings. Super Sun’s will have to sort out their defense if they are to have a decent debut in the Champions League.
Sunday saw two heavyweights of Sri Lankan football Ratnam and Blue Star clash at Longdon Place. This feisty match saw as many as 6 yellow cards and a red card been shown by the referee. Mohamed Farhath’s second yellow reduced Blue Star to 10 men. After a miserable first match veteran striker E.B. Channa scored the opener for Ratnam in the 41st minute. Minutes later Mohamed Farzeen equalized for the Kalutara side. A.L. Tharusha scored the winner for the hosts in the 72nd minute.
The Up-Country Lions made the long trip to Kalutara for their Group B match against Kalutara Park SC at the Vernon Fernando Stadium. The match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw. Both teams were good in attacking play and Kaviranga for the Kalutara side broke the dead lock in the 30th minute. The visitors equalized just before halftime through H.W. Patrick. Patrick’s jubilation was short lived as he was sent off for a second bookable offense at the stroke of halftime. 10 man Lions took the lead in the 60th from a P.K.Martin strike but a minute later M. Silva made the score 2-2.
Don Bosco hosted Nandimithra SC which ended in a 1-1 draw. For Nandimithra, Priyankara scored in the 14th minute. S.D. De Silva conceded a penalty in the 71st and was sent off after he received his second yellow card for the foul. Don Bosco’s African striker Diowou Vicky slotted from the spot.
SL Navy SC recorded their first victory after beating Java Lane 1-0 at Welisara. Navy were faced with a daunting task as they were reduced to 10 men after Malik Migara was shown a straight red card in the 35th minute. The sailors determined as ever made Java Lane work hard. They were rewarded for their defense as H.P. Charles headed home the winner four minutes before the end of regular time.
The upset of the gameweek came from the Anuradhapura Solid SC, as they beat the formidable Police SC 1-0 at Police Park. For the Anuradhapura side G.S. Prabodh scored in the 23rd minute. This was a huge morale boosting victory for Solid as they remained unbeaten in the tournament.
Match between SL Air Force and Negombo Youth ended in a 1 all draw. In the 10th minute P.J.Chaminda opened the scoring for Air Force and M.D. Peiris equalized for the visitors four minutes before half time.
Matara City and Saunders settled for a goalless. This meant both teams had drawn their opening two games and were tied at two points each.
Group A – Points Table
ClubPWDLCSGFGAGDPts
1Colombo SC211014134
2Ratnam SC 211012114
3SL Navy SC 211021014
4Blue Star SC210115233
5Java Lane SC210111103
6Matara City SC202011102
7Negombo Youth202002202
8Saunders SC202020002
9SL Air Force SC2011012-11
10Super Sun SC2002018-70
Group B – Points Table
Club PWDLCSGFGAGDPts
1Renown SC 211003214
2Solid SC 211012114
3New Youngs SC210112203
4Don Bosco SC202002202
5Up Country SC202003302
6Pelicans SC 101001101
7SL Police SC2011012-11
8Nandimithra SC101001101
9Kalutara Park SC2011023-11
10SL Army SC 000000000
