In a must win game for two teams looking to keep up with Colombo FC at the top of the table Renown SC blew away their opponents from Anuradhapura to secure a 4-0 win and three crucial points in the Super 8 stage of the Dialog Champions League.
Renown who were fortunate to have got 3 points against Army, needed no luck to overcome Solid as they found their best form in the Super 8 stage. After dominating possession for most of the opening minutes the first real chance of the game fell to Fazal after Ayurdeen failed to punch clear a cross. Unfortunately for Renown the winger couldn’t keep his volleyed effort down and the ball sailed over the goal.
Army misdemeanor gives Renown the win
Renown SC has been awarded the win in their match against Army SC after the Competitions Committee…
Renown did get the goal they deserved when Amith Kumara fell asleep to allow Mujeeb to run through on goal to intercept a Rifnaz chip, round the keeper and tap in from point blank range. Solid who were only restricted to potshots from range for most of the first half were dealt a further blow when left back Tharindu Liyanage was injured and had to be replaced. Arubishan Daniel was shifted to Left Back and he struggled to cope with the pace of Mujeeb and Job Michael eventually barging into the latter to concede a penalty on the brink of half time. Fazal who had a topsy turvy first half made no mistake with the conversion, putting Renown 2-0 up at the break.
Half Time: Solid SC 0 – 2 Renown SC
Solid SC came out all guns blazing in the second half, pegging Renown back in their half for a majority of the first 15 minutes. However a combination of the Renown defenders and Usman in goal denied the likes of Abumere, Sajeewan and Figurado the opportunity to pull a goal back and blow the match open. Renown then scored their third goal in their first foray into the opponents half, with Mujeeb and Rifnaz exchanging a couple of passes before the skipper blasted home from inside the box.
Red cards & late goals; Colombo FC defeats Army
In a match full of drama Colombo FC managed to pull up a late goal through Zarwan Johar to defeat title…
Job Michael was a thorn in the side of Solid SC in the second half, once beating Daniel with pace and trickery only to drag his shot wide of the far post before scoring with his next attempt, passing the ball past the keeper into the net after running onto a lobbed through ball from Fazal.
Amith Kumara was then denied a consolation goal after his header was cleared off the line, only for Renown to spurn an opportunity at the other end with Mujeeb fluffing his lines with only the keeper to beat. Job Michael was the next to miss a golden chance as a one on one opportunity to double his tally with the Solid defence tiring. Usman then made a stunning save to deny a spectacular volleyed effort from substitute M. Premakumar which also proved to be the last chance of the game. Renown left within touching distance of Colombo FC and Solid SC left with much to think about at the final whistle.
Full Time: Solid SC 0 – 4 Renown SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Mohammed Mujeeb (Renown SC)
Speaking to ThePapare.com M.Jusmin coach of Solid SC had this to say,
“I think we had some chances but we didn’t take them and our opponents adapted to our strategies very well today. I think we gave a decent fight to a great team though. Going forward I just hope that we can get all our players back at practice and even though we have 5 players out at the moment I still think we can meet our targets for the season”
M. Rifnaz skipper of Renown SC had this to say,
“After the break we lost our touch a bit and the loss of Fazal for the Army game had a big impact on that game. Going forward there is another break between games and these things disrupt our momentum which is a big disadvantage. “
Goal Scorers
Renown SC: M. Mujeeb 31′, M. Fazal 45+3′, M. Rifnaz 57′, J. Michael 74′
Assists
Renown SC: M. Mujeeb 57′, M. Fazal 74′
