In a hard-fought encounter, University of Sri Jayewardenepura beat University of Moratuwa 7-6 on penalties after it ended 2-2 at full time at Cooray Park, Wellawatte.
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Both teams were off the blocks quickly and looked to take control of the game from the onset. The start saw some hard tackles coming through from both teams.
The first attempt on goal was as early as the second minute when J’pura was awarded a free kick just outside the box. Mahesh Ekanayake tested the Moratuwa goalkeeper M. Pandithage with a straight hit to his hands.
D. Weerasinghe and S. Silva got opportunities at goal for J’pura but the finishers were poor from the two players. J’pura was more confident on the ball while Moratuwa were looking for long balls from the back.
Both teams then looked to attack only through the middle as both goalkeepers were kept busy collecting through balls without much threat.
Everything Moratuwa did went through I. Rawry who controlled the midfield and the distribution. In the tenth minute a brilliant ball from him found J. Ajanthasingam whose shot was brilliantly saved by the J’Pura keeper Isuru Maduwantha.
Once again Moratuwa got another opportunity to score the first goal when T. Anasraj got a pass from Rawry only to shoot wide of the right post.
Photo Album – Sri Jayawardanepura University vs Moratuwa University | Round 1 (FA Cup 2018)
Moratuwa were then punished for their misses. J’pura kept pushing bodies forward and Mohamed Anas headed home to give them the lead.
After going a goal down Moratuwa struggled for possession and J’pura grew in confidence and threatened further. However, against the run of play it was Moratuwa who kept getting chance after chance on the counter attack.
Ultimately the goal they were seeking came through Ajanthasingham where he converted from close range after a cut back from V. Janith to level the score just before the half time.
Half Time – J’Pura University 1 – 1 Moratuwa University
After the break it was Moratuwa who took the game by the scuff of the neck when they went directly ahead from the restart. Anasraj was the first to react to a loose ball of the crossbar and pounced to nick it in at the near post.
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This seemed to have deflated the J’pura boys who were not the same as they were in the first half. Moratuwa boys were more energetic and were first to the loose balls and threatened to increase their lead.
At the hour mark it was lady luck which gave J’Pura a life line when a cross towards the Moratuwa box was attempted to clear by N. Gamage only to miscue and the ball ended up in his own net.
Despite the setback Moratuwa was the better team with threating moves only to be deprived by the lack of quality last ball. Fatigue crept into both teams and players from both ends started to fall off injured or cramped.
In the last 10 minutes of the game the Moratuwa goalkeeper M. Pandithage who got injured stood on a single foot and manage to keep the ball away from his net.
Full Time – J’Pura University 2 – 2 Moratuwa University
Penalty Shootout
Both teams were square after the first 5 kicks where 4 penalties each were scored. Pandithage saved brilliantly off Ekanayake and Pieris hit wide for Moratuwa.
On the next set of sudden death penalties, it looked as neither team wanted to win as opportunities came by and went. After 4 kicks each finally J’pura came through scoring the winning penalty as Maduwantha saved the penultimate kick from P. Abeysinghe.
Penalty Shootout – J’Pura University 7 – 6 Moratuwa University
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – M. Pandithage (University of Moratuwa)
Goal Scorers
J’Pura University – M. Anas 21’, N. Gamage 61’ (OG)
Moratuwa University – Ajanthasingham 38’, T. Anasraj 47’Bookings
Yellow Cards
J’Pura University – S. Charles 32’, D. Weerasinghe 70’
Moratuwa University – I. Rawry 32’
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