Java Lane overcame a spirited Thihariya Youth SC to beat them 3-1 in the Dialog Champions League opening match at Kew Points road, City League Football Complex.
Thihariya Youth, the Division I champions promoted to the premier league displayed a good game of football but a few missed opportunities and Java Lane’s second half performance, was too much for the newly promoted side.
Java Lane boasting a couple of rising young stars, namely Zarwan Johar and Mohomed Rizkhan both of whom were trained at the Manchester United football school displayed why they were the future when Zarwan picked out Rizkhan with a beautiful through ball to open the scoring in the 20th minute.
With early nerves fading and getting into their usual playing style Thihariya Youth started to attack consistently and missed two certain goal scoring chances within minutes of each other. Their hard work paid off when Java Lane defender handled the ball inside the box and a penalty was given. African midfielder Magi Hyginies made no mistake from the spot to give the Gampaha side the equalizer.
After the break both teams kept their supporters excited with expansive play but it was the home side who took the lead in the 60th minute from a corner kick which was neatly headed by Nalaka Perera to make it 2-1 in favour of Java Lane. With 10 minutes left and Thihariya Youth desperately looking for an equalizer, opened up an opportunity for Mohomed Aleem to drill a low shot from outside the box to register the third goal for Java Lane.
Afeez brace gives a Solid start
Afeez Olayemi’s first half brace was enough for Solid SC to defeat newly promoted Crystal Palace 2-1.
Crystal Palace who were Division I runners up had no answer to the energetic Olayemi who scored the two within minutes. Palace were always up against it from the start against last year’s Dialog Champions league semi finalists who out played them in every aspect.
Olayemi also had a new home when he made the switch from Kalutara Blue Star to the Anuradhapura based Solid SC for this season. He will form a lethal partnership with Shola who was the third highest goal scorer last season.
Negombo Youth puts three past New Youngs
Kamal Silva scored a brace as Negombo Youth comfortably defeated New Youngs at the Albert F. Peiris grounds in Wennapuwa.
Both sides who had a miserable last season needed to start off this season on a positive note and it was the Negombo Youth who took the game from the scruff of the neck as they dominated majority of the match.
Kamal Silva gave the Youth a deserved lead just before halftime and doubled the lead in the 56th minute. One of Sri Lanka’s finest strikers, veteran Kasun Jayasuriya who was making his return to the game scored the third in the 69th minute to cap off a perfect match for the Negombo Youth.
Sujan Perera the hero for Kalutara Park
Sri Lanka’s No.1 goalkeeper Sujan Perera produced another outstanding performance keeping the Blue Star strikers at bay to earn a point for Kalutara Park against rivals Kalutara Blue Star which ended goalless.
It was Sujan verses Blue Star as the Blue Star forwards were frustrated throughout the match against this 23 year old custodian.
Other Results
Matara City SC – 1 – 1 Super Sun SC
Matara City : A. M. Prasanna (78th Minute)
Super Sun : E. B. Channa (67th Minute)
Up Country Lions – 2 – 1 SL Police SC
Colombo FC – 2 – 1 Nandimithra SC
Saunders SC – 0 – 0 Renown SC
SL Navy SC – 2 – 1 SL Army SC
SL Air Force SC – 1 – 1 Pelicans SC
