The Kalutara boys win over the champions league runners up Renown S.C with one goal to nil in their pre-quarter final match held at Longden place this evening.
Renown Sports club, one of the outstanding Football clubs in the island with a rich history of Football could not win over Blue star to reach the quarter finals of the Cargills Food City FA cup tournament. Renown having star players like Hakeem Kamil, Fazal Mohamed and Fazul Rahuman who represent the Sri Lanka national Football squad could not put up a good show on field.
This was Renown’s first match after their coach M.Amanulla left the club. First match was negative for the boys in the blue jersey. In the previous encounter between Renown S.C and Blue Star in the Dialog Champions League, Fazal scored a goal to beat the Kalutara team. This time Blue Star took the revenge back with the help of their Nigerian strikers.
Renown S.C were not good with the ball play throughout the match as Blue Star put them under pressure. Defenders Shifan and M.Sameer were helpless with the ball in their half. Blue Star strikers Afeez Olayemi and Arubisha O. Daniel were the main reason. The two Nigerian strikers were always in front of the defenders to put them out of the track.
The pressurized Center defender Shifan received an out ball kick from the opposition and released the ball as fast as he could. Winger Dilan failed to collect the ball as Blue Star striker O.Daniel intercepted the ball and dribbled it to face the goal keeper one on one. Renown goal keeper Laurence Prince could not save Daniel’s curvy shot which reached the nets in the 20th minute.
Magic striker and skipper Fazal Mohamed was not his usual efficient self. Few of his shots knock the bar, his team mate Dilan’s shots too hit the bar. Manjula Fernando goal keeper of Blue Star saved each and every shot on target. He did not let a single ball pass the goal line.
Blue Star led the game during the breather 1-0
With the start of the second half Renown made some good moves with the ball. Skipper Fazal made a move passing the ball to Fazul over the Blue Star mid fielders and then it went on to Dilan with a lob pass given by Fazul. Dilan crossed the ball directly to the penalty box. Fazal could not even touch the ball as opposition defender Nasiru Opeymi cleared the cross with a header. Yet again another pass from Fazul to the winger Dilan dribbled the ball passing the defenders and stood in front of the goal keeper. Dilan could not boot it to the goal as keeper Manjula punched it. Renown kept on missing easy chances which could have gained them goals.
Nasiru Opeymi gave a solid opportunity to Renown by tackling Fazal from the sides which awarded a free kick to on top of the box. Play maker Fazal was unsuccessful with his free kick.
Later on Blue Star rushed back to score another goal but it was saved by Laurence. Nasiru Opeymi headed a corner ball kick right into the nets which was tapped by Renown left defender Jenson.
Substitute Fazal Ahamed, who came in for winger Nafeer as a replacement during the last few minutes of the game made a bit difference of the ball play. Winger Fazal grabbed a ball from Blue Star defenders and lobbed it to the goal post which went over goal keepers hands. When it was going to reach the nets striker A.W.M.Farzeen saved the ball by a header.
Referee blew the long whistle and the match ended up in favour of Blue Star 1-0.
