Blue Star SC and Colombo FC locked horns in a thrilling game at the Vernon Fernando Stadium in Kalutara, which ended with late drama as a 94th minute penalty from Iduwo Hameed gave the home team all 3 points in their opening Group A clash.
Defending champions Colombo FC featured a new look team with Nagoor Meera, Afis Olayemi and Japanese national Dan Ito all featuring in a revamped midfield.
They did have the better of the chances early on as they settled into their passing game quickly and Momas Yapo’s forward forays often caused the Blue Star defence all manner of problems.
For all their dominance of possession though Colombo FC failed to fashion out any clear cut chances in the opening period mainly due to immense performances by center-back Nasiru Opayemi and their skipper Manjula Fernando in goal.
Dan Ito and Momas Yapo were reduced to taking wild shots from outside the box on several occasions, none of which caused any problems for Manjula.
Photo Album – Blue Star SC vs Colombo FC | Group Stage | DCL 16
At the other end Blue Star lacked a bit of cohesion in attack, failing to create many chances for themselves, as they too featured several new names on the team card.
Their main threat was from set plays as the physical presence of Nasiru Opayemi proved to be a real problem for the Colombo FC defense.
Blue Star went the closest to opening the scoring as right-back Mohamed Rifkhan unleashed a pile-driver from a free kick that rattled the woodwork late on in the first half.
Half Time: Blue Star 0-0 Colombo FC
The second half got off to a similar start with Colombo FC calling all the shots and created opportunities for Dan Ito and Afis Olayemi to score but were thwarted on both occasions by Manjula Fernando.
They brought on Danushka Madushanka for the final 25 minutes as the hunt for a goal intensified and his first contribution nearly brought about the breakthrough.
Latching on to a through ball from Rawme Mohideen he got around keeper Fernando but with the goal at his mercy and Afis Olayemi unmarked in a more central area, he was caught in two minds and put his effort wide of the mark, much to the frustration of his team mates.
Solid cash in on poor Negombo Youth
Blue Star were barely holding on for most of the second half but in the last minute of stoppage time, a long throw to the head of Opayemi was flicked over Imran in the Colombo FC goal and Mohideen palmed the ball away off the line to be sent off and present Blue Star with a penalty to seal all three points.
Iduwo Hameed made no mistake with the spot kick, blasting home to send the crowd into a frenzy as the referee blew the whistle for full time shortly after.
Full Time: Blue Star 1-0 Colombo FC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Nasiru Opayemi (Blue Star)
Speaking to jubilant Blue Star skipper Manjula Fernando he had this to say;
“This was a good team we played and we were lucky that in the last minute he had an opportunity to get 3 vital points. We have cut down on the individual mistakes that cost us last year against Colombo FC, but we need to improve on our performance as the tournament progresses if we are to qualify for the next stage.”
Goals
Blue Star: Iduwo Hameed 90+4’Cautions
Yellow Cards: B.Shivanka (Blue Star), Afeel Mohamed (Colombo FC), Mohamed Rifkhan (Blue Star)
Red Cards: Rawme Mohideen (Colombo FC)
