A first half strike by Dulaj Peiris was enough for Negombo Youth to defeat their Negombo rivals, Don Bosco 1-0 at the Kelaniya Football Complex.
Negombo Youth having defeat tournament favourites Army SC last week were determined to continue their form after having a miserable last season. For Don Bosco it was all about improving their performances after having gone down 8-0 against Army and a couple of heavy defeats in the opening games.
Negombo Youth started off in dominating fashion having majority of possession and attacked at will. They were rewarded with a free kick just outside the box in the 28th minute and Dulaj Peiris curled in a wonderful free kick to give them the lead.
Even though the match ended 1-0 Don Bosco never had any chance in the game and Negombo Youth were unfortunate not to add a couple more to their tally. They missed several chances including a hit on the cross bar by veteran Kasun Jayasuriya. With this win Negombo Youth collected 3 points to climb up to 7th position in the points table with 9 points, just six points behind table leader Navy SC.
Renown, Thihariya draw in a six goal thriller
Mohomed Nafeer struck in injury time denying newly promoted Thihariya Youth their first win in the top flight in front of their home fans at the Kelaniya Football Complex.
Thihariya were seconds away from the win when Nafeer broke free from the defense and slotted the ball into the net to equalize and finish the match at 3 all.
Last year’s Dialog Champions League runners-up Renown SC were chasing the game from the opening whistle with Thihariya players playing with renewed passion buoyed by their home fans. In the 14th minute African I.Hugenius gave the lead for the hosts but Sanjeeva equalized for Renown in the 27th minute. E.Uchenna again gave the lead to Thihariya four minutes before half time.
After the restart P.Yogaraja made it 2-2 on the hour mark in a match with shifting fortunes. It was end to end football from both sides with almost no defense present for either team. Uchenna scored his second in the 75th minute to make it 3-2 to the rapturous approval of the fans. However when all seemed lost for the visitors Nafeer struck earning Renown of a point.
Second half rally by Navy sees off Nandimithra
R.T. Nandasiri and Mohomed Insaf scored for Navy in the second half to make it five wins out of five in the Dialog Champions League and secure the top position for another week.
The first half ended in thrilling fashion when Nandimithra scored two goals in the latter stages of the first half after D.Rathnayaka and P.C.Perera had given Navy a double lead with goals in the 26th and 29th minute.
However Nandimithra couldn’t match their form in the second half as Nandasiri and Insaf scoring in the 69th and 78th minutes giving them a 4-2 win.
Matara City gets their first win
Matara City Club finally got their first win of the Champions League after drawing all their previous four games.
Nuwan Shashikapriya scored the only goal of the match in the 16th minute against New Young’s SC. Against some intense pressure in the second half from New Young’s, Matara City club held of the challenge for the win in front of their home fans at the Matara Football Complex.
Other Results
SL Air Force SC 2 Crystal Palace SC 1
Air Force – L. A. R. Chamara (02nd Minute) – N.A.G.K. Perera (65th Minute)
Crystal Palace – E. L. Aba (90 + 2 Minute)
Solid SC 0 SL Police SC 0
Pelicans SC 1 Saunders SC 1
Pelicans SC – Nandasiri Ekanayake (90 + 2 Minute)
Saunders SC – Sameera Perera (50th Minute)
