In a match full of scuffles and yellow cards, a solitary goal during extra time was enough to put Great Star SC ahead of Golden Rise SC as they qualified for the next round of the Premier League Division II tournament in the match held at the Kelaniya Football Complex.
The 3rd of the famous ‘Star’ teams from the Kalutara area kicked off the match and quickly assumed control of the game with brilliant midfield play.
By the end of the first 15 minutes they had tried and tested the opposition keeper Avishka Fernando many times whereas Golden Rise were only capable of delivering a rolling ball to the Great Star keeper.
A beautiful cross from the right side of the field all the way to the left back from halfway by Pasindu Vishvajith was neatly controlled and volleyed by James Adeyi but he was unlucky as Fernando was able to clasp it in his waiting hands.
Shortly afterwards a header by Riyaz Mohamed off a corner went just above the crossbar denying Great Star another goal.
Mohamed Lafran of Golden Rise was the first player to be cautioned in this match for his tackle from behind on Oluwaseun Olawale.
By the 30th minute the Beruwala boys were teasing and toying around with ball while Golden Rise started losing heart and their game began to crack.
The biggest incident of the match happened in the 34th minute when Riyaz was cautioned for what seemed to be an elbowing on Piriyanga Andrady which resulted in Andrady, who was clutching his chest, having to be given medical attention.
The enraged Golden Rise supporters began shouting at Riyaz and soon after a fight broke out between the spectators which resulted in the game being halted for about 10 minutes. The fight grew in extent forcing the Police to be called in.
Olawale received his first yellow card in the 44th minute for another tackle from behind.
Half time – Great Star SC 0 – 0 Golden Rise SC
Great Star kept up their game from the first half with more beautiful plays in midfield. But the plays were often broken down by the forwards due to sloppy controlling and careless passing.
The reason for the game to be at nil all by this stage was not because of a strong defence by Golden Rise rather the fact that the Beruwala forwards lacked in finishing, missing out on a multitude of opportunities.
Mohamed Nusrath made up for his messy finishing to a certain extent with beautiful corner kicks curving from outside straight to the goal which were a joy to watch, but was unlucky as Fernando was able to put them out of harm’s way.
Meanwhile Mohamed Yasry and Andrady added 2 more yellow cards for Golden Rise in the 55th and 84th minutes respectively.
The match ended in a draw at regulation time due to Great Star failing to fire up their attack and make use of their many chances, sending the game into extra time.
Full time – Great Star SC 0 – 0 Golden Rise SC
Recently established rules state that in case of a draw in Division II, a match would be played into extra time with two halves of 10 minutes each.
The game began to become more intense as the Dharga Town boys, alarmed by the lack of time, also started pushing up reinforcing their attack.
Olawale in his eagerness to score fouled the Golden Rise centre back from behind receiving his second yellow card reducing the Beruwala boys to 10 men.
But Great Star made up for it 2 minutes later when the substitute Mohamed Mufraz volleyed in the ball which he received from a free kick just outside the penalty box, scoring the winning goal.
The last yellow card of the game was received by Nusrath in the 107th minute.
Golden Rise was presented with one last opportunity to equalize from a free kick which the keeper came up to take. But Fernando’s kick was way over the goal and the match ended with Great Star proceeding to the next round.
Extra time – Great Star SC 1 – 0 Golden Rise SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Mohamed Mufraz (Great Star)
Goal Scorers
Great Star SC – Mohamed Mufraz 100’Bookings
Yellow cards
Great Star – Riyaz Mohamed 34’, Oluwaseun Olawale 44’ & 98’, Mohamed Nusrath 107’
Golden Rise – M.H.M.Lafran 20’, A.R.M.Yasry 55’, Piriyanga Andrady 84’Red cards
Great Star – Oluwaseun Olawale 98’
