Resolute Blue Star outfit frustrated a strong Air Force team as they emerged with a goalless draw to earn a point at the Kelaniya Football Complex.
It was after quite a long break that the DCL Super 8 resumed on the 6th of January in the new year of 2017 and it started off with a cracker of a match between two title contenders.
A late Madushan goal earns 10 man Army a point
Madushan De Silva scored with the last kick of the game as 10-man Army pulled out…
It was Air Force that took charge right from the off as Chathuranga Fernando played a deep lying maker role that allowed the wingers, namely Kavindu Ishan, to create havoc in the defence of Blue Star SC. However, this potent threat was somehow thwarted by Shivanka and Opeyemi.
Blue Star midfielders, Hameed and Irshan attempted to unsettle the likes of Chaturanga and Nuwan Welgama, however, their attempts backfired as they conceded many infringements which gifted the Air Force team the opportunity to work their way slowly and steadily towards goal. Air Force, however, were woeful in their attempts as Kavindu hit all of them off target.
After an onslaught of Air Force attacking, Blue Star eventually settled into the game as Channa and Jibola made some progress up front.
Photos: Blue Star SC v Air Force SC | Super 8 | DCL16
Blue Star SC 0 : 0 Air Force SC – Dialog Champions League 2016 – Super 8 | #Match 5
Ironically, it was Jibola that made the first attempt on target that was parried by the keeper for a corner.
Kavindu and D. K. Duminda kept on their crisp passing but lacked the final finishing touches. Similarly, Blue Star also made some gallant attempts on goal via E. B. Channa.
The half ended in a stalemate with Blue Star and Air Force heading for the break with frustration as there was endless possibility for the deadlock to be broken.
Half Time – Blue Star SC 0 – 0 Air Force SC
The second half of the match started the same as the first with Air Force taking charge in attack with Kavindu and Duminda. However, the Blue Star defence with a resurgent Irshan in the midfield so much so that he got the first booking of the match.
The match eventually became bogged down as both teams started committing unnecessary infringements in the middle of the field.
But it did not dampen the spirits of the attackers as Channa of Blue Star and Kavindu of Air Force continuously spurred on their teams to break the deadlock.
Blue Star stun Renown with brilliant team performance
Blue Star SC sprung a surprise on favourites Renown SC, as a disciplined defensive performance…
Nuwan Welgama of Air Force and Shivanka of Blue Star registered the second and third booking of the match as well.
Jibola, tested the keeper in the most difficult way as he released one effort from the right side of the box that made Ruwan Arunasiri make a top drawer save.
With that effort the match ended in a stalemate with scores at nil – nil.
Full Time – Blue Star SC 0 – 0 Air Force
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Harsha Fernando
Speaking to the Air Force coach, Mr. Sampath Perera after the match;
“Dimuth and Dilshan were absent, therefore it was difficult for us to capitalise on the many set piece opportunities. Overall we were not happy with the result”
Speaking to Blue Star coach, Mr. G. V. C. Karunarathne after the match ;
“Many of our players that played against Renown were absent therefore it was difficult, but we still could have made something of the match”
Bookings
Yellow Cards
Blue Star SC – Irshan 57’, Shivanka 81’
Air Force – Nuwan Welgama 63’, Kolitha Lankesara
