Navy ended Renown’s unbeaten streak this season with a 2-1 win, to re-liven their Super 8 hopes, at the Navy Base in Welisara.
Renown SC were coming into the game on the back of a dream run having won every group stage game thus far while Navy SC were coming in on the back of a demoralizing loss to Air Force at home, with a win vital to keeping their super 8 hopes alive.
Both teams seemed to have set out to protect what they have from the onset as they put the onus on defense while playing out from the back.
Renown had Mohamed Rizni and Fazul Rahuman playing the holding roles to put this plan into action while Navy SC relied on the nippy Pradeep Perera and their powerhouse, Chathuranga Sanjeewa.
In a game where chances came few and far between it was Renown who had the first shout when the Navy SC custodian Gnanarathnam Fernando punched a ball towards Mohammed Rifnaz, who couldn’t direct his effort goalwards.
Navy SC countered almost immediately with the ever threatening Dammika Ratnayake pushing down the left flank only for his cross to fizz pass everyone in the box.
The left wing looked like the more comfortable flank for the sailors throughout as both Ratnayake and Tharindu Eranga continued to pressure Renown full back Dimutha Priyadarshana.
The dominant sailors took a well-deserved lead on the half hour mark after Nirmal Wijetunga managed to dance his way into the box, only for Hakeem Kamil to bring down his man with a cynical challenge. The resulting penalty was dispatched with ease by Navy centre back, Chameera Krishantha.
Renown kept pushing for an equalizer from there on in, but Sanjeewa and Chrishantha Perera dominated the middle of the park and didn’t allow the likes of Rahuman and Rifnaz time and space on the ball.
Rifnaz in particularly seemed very frustrated, and nearly engaged in fisticuffs with his own teammate, Job Michael, over a missed chance.
Renown did get a bite at the cherry on the stroke of half time however as Mohammed Fazal’s curling effort bounced off the post, only for Job Michael’s rebound to be cleared off the line.
Half Time – Navy SC 1 – 0 Renown SC
The second half was a different story as Renown seemed far more motivated to get into the game. Some key tactical changes saw young Afam Akram and Fazal Mohamed enjoying a lot more space down the flanks.
In the 55th minute, Renown finally managed to restore parity after some brilliant work by Rahuman in midfield. Rahuman, who dispossessed the sailors sent across a scrumptious diagonal ball for Mohamed Fazal who found Rifnaz. The number 10 then showed his keen eye for a pass as he threaded through a pass for the clinical Job Michael, who slotted home from 14 yards.
The equalizer seemed to have galvanized the Renown team as they unleashed wave after wave of attack. The overlapping runs of Dimuthu Priyadarshana and Mohamed Rizkhan seemed to be taking their toll on the sailors as the fatigue in their full backs showed.
Navy resorted to counter attacks as a means of catching Renown off guard. Following a few unsuccessful breaks, Navy SC finally managed to get up to the other end of the pitch in the 73rd minute.
Mohamed Rizni was the guilty party as he was drawn in by the Navy attack and conceded a free kick on the edge of the box. Subash Madushan whipped in the resulting freekick, which bounced off the bar and ricocheted into the back of the net through Renown’s own Hakeem Kamil, restoring Navy’s lead.
Renown threw the kitchen sink at the sailors for the final 15 minutes and seemed to have stolen a point in the dying seconds when Rifnaz’s blocked shot fell to Mohamed Azlam, only for the substitute to blast wide from 6 yards.
Full Time – Navy SC 2 – 1 Renown SC
Renown’s Fazul Rahuman said on the result; “We are disappointed that we lost our winning run, but we are not very worried about this game. We have qualified to the next round and still have our target of winning the championship.”
“In a number of games we had the chances but failed to convert, today we were able to score early on and that helped us. We were aware of Renown’s midfield capabilities so we paid special attention to this during training and that seemed to work in our favour too”, said Navy’s coach Dammika Atukorala.
Goal Scorers
Navy SC – Chameera Krishantha 30’, Hakeem Kamil (OG) 75’
Renown – Job Michael 55’
Bookings
Navy SC – Jeran Fernando 86’
Renown – Hakeem Kamil 90’, Mohamed Azlam 94’
