Solid SC beat the high-riding Army SC 3-2 in a thriller at the Prison Grounds in Anuradhapura. Both teams were undefeated coming into the match, with Army boasting of over three goals per game without conceding any.
The match was played at a frantic pace with the two teams trying to assert their authority on the pitch. Goals from O.Shola and G.S. Prabodh in the 25th and 33rd minutes respectively gave Solid SC a two goal advantage heading into halftime. The stunned Army had no reply and the home fans sensed a surprise victory looming in the air. Their team tripled the lead in the 74th with a goal from R. Mohamed. Soon after Army were gifted a goal when C.T.Francis put the ball into his own net. With time running out Army launched attack after attack and reduced the deficit with a goal from D.M.Silva. This set up a tensed final few minutes especially for the home team, but they managed to keep the resilient Army at bay.
In another match played at Nawalapitiya, Up-Country Lions defeated Don Bosco 3-2. This midtable battle saw the Lions taking the lead in the 23rd through Patrick Hineh. But Don Bosco fought back to gain the lead with goals from A.P. Silva and A.N. Janith. The home side made it 2 all at the short whistle with a strike from K. Martin. In the second half teams were searching for the 3rd goal but were unable up until the dying minutes when M.N.Rajapaksha secured the 3 points for Lions with his goal.
A Hat-trick from D.A. Jayashan gave Nandimithra Sports Club their first victory in the Dialog Champions League. The match was played against New Youngs at the Albert F. Peiris stadium in Wennapuwa. Nandimithra went into halftime with a 1-0 lead. H. Priyankara leveled the scores for New Youngs in the 61st minute but 2 goals from Jayashan in the final 10 minutes helped his side to a comfortable win.
Glamour boys Saunders SC also secured their first victory with a 2-1 win over Air Force SC at Kelaniya. Isuru Uditha Perera gave the lead in the 34th and Saunders doubled their lead in the 76th through National Player Sanoj Sameera. G.K. Perera pegged a goal back for Air Force in extra time but it was too little too late. Saunders has been disappointing in the opening few matches and this win would certainly help the Price Park boys heading into the business end of the tournament.
In Midweek Group A leaders Blue Star clashed with Java Lane at Kew Point Road, City Football Grounds. This was a highly physical match with hard tackles flying in from everywhere. The first chance of the game fell to Afeez Olayemi whose curling shot going past the upright. Both defenses had an outstanding game and not many opportunities were on offer. 10 minutes from half time Java Lane’s slick passing created a chance but was denied by a brilliant save from the Blue Star keeper. Soon afterwards a 2o yard strike from Blue Star’s W.H. Manu went just over the crossbar. Midway through the second half, the best chance of the match fell to Java Lane’s Mohamed Najibdeen, his shot skimming over the crossbar after some good work by Nagoor Meena down the left flank. Olayemi was able to put the ball in the back of the net but was deemed offside. With time running out Java Lane searching for a goal kept peppering the goal mouth with crosses from both wings but was unable to penetrate the solid Blus Star defense coached by former National Captain Dudley Steinwall. At full time both teams had to settle for a goalless draw.
