Colombo FC were made to sweat against a resolute New Youngs FC to come out 3-2 winners in the Dialog Champions League 2018, week 13 fixture played at City Football Complex, Colombo.
Returning Fazal guides Colombo to top spot
Colombo FC moved back to the top of the Dialog Champions League 2018 points table securing…
Colombo FC kicked off proceedings being on top of the table on goal difference whereas New Youngs FC were in tenth position and safe in the middle.
As early as in the 4th minute Zarwan Johar was inside the New Youngs penalty box and was caught in two minds as he scuffed an opportunity. The return ball went to Dilan Kaushalya who got fouled on the edge of the box. A quick free kick which fell to Mohamed Rifnaz saw him go agonizingly close with a shot at goal.
Colombo looked dominant in the early exchanges, however New Youngs goalkeeper Danushka Rajapaksha wasn’t tested as Colombo struggled to unlock the stubborn defense.
Against the run of play B.S Nimo gave New Youngs a surprise lead when he tapped home a cross from Mohamed Fawzan who caught the defense off guard and sent in a cross from the left flank.
The hosts looking to respond got Rajapaksha to work first with a shot from range by Rifnaz and then a close-range effort from Mohamed Aakib. He then kept away an effort from Mohamed Fazal.
Despite going a goal down, Colombo FC continued to dominate the game with no luck up until the 27th minute when Mohamed Aakib powered home a volley after controlling the ball brilliantly to level the scores.
Colombo were not able to find the telling pass in the final third despite dominating possession. Lack of precision inside the penalty box made them squander lots of opportunities.
Just before the break Rifnaz went close with a toe poke after maneuvering through the crowded defense as Colombo went into the breaking thinking of missed chances.
Half Time – Colombo FC 1 – 1 New Youngs FC
The second half started with exchanges being even in the opening minutes between the two midfields. Both teams struggled to weigh the passes as many missed passes did not help the flow of the game.
Colombo FC settled into a rhythm and looked to release Mohamed Aakib on the counter while Harshana Viduranga kept Colombo FC goalkeeper Mohamed Imran busy with some on-target long range efforts.
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Zarwan Johar came close to scoring after some nifty passing between him and Fazal only to be denied by Rajapaksha. The game swiftly moved towards the Colombo FC goal and a fumble by Mohamed Imran on a cross gave C.B Olohunwa a simple tap in as New Youngs FC re-took the lead.
The lead did not last long as Dilan Kaushalya equalized for Colombo after a flick back from Mohamed Rifnaz on the hour mark.
Mohamed Fazal then gave Colombo FC the lead for the first time as a miscommunication by the New Youngs defense gave an open goal for Fazal to slot in. Miscommunication between Mohamed Imran and Chalan Chameera almost gifted a goal for New Youngs but Charitha Rathnayake managed to save it off the line.
Photos: Colombo FC v New Youngs FC | Week 13 | Dialog Champions League 2018
New Youngs pressed hard for an equalizer as Charitha Rathnayake and co had their work cut out in the defense. Coach Mohamed Roomy made sacrifices up front as he withdrew Zarwan Johar and Dilan and replaced them with Fazul Rahuman and Shafran Sattar to see out the final minutes.
Full Time – Colombo FC 3 – 2 New Youngs FC
- ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Charitha Rathnayake (Colombo FC)
Goal Scorers
Colombo FC – Mohamed Aakib 27’, Dilan Kaushalya 60’, Mohamed Fazal 67’
New Youngs FC – B.S Nimo 15’, C.B Olohunwa 58’
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