Up Country Lions put behind a scrappy first half to win 2-1 against Thihariya Youth in the early kickoff at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
With championship hopes out of their reach Up Country Lions will be looking to secure a top eight birth and are well on course in 9th place with 21 points from 13 matches, having played fewer matches than the clubs around them. It is not smooth sailing for the newly promoted division I champions, Thihariya Youth who are stuck at the bottom of the table with 8 points from 17 matches.
Up Country Lions started off the match well putting together passes and settling down early. They went ahead in the 12th minute when Teafanov Sasa finished off a brilliant move with a calm strike.
Midway into the first half Nagur Meena, who crossed over to the Lions from Java Lane SC went through on goal and his effort was partially blocked by the goalkeeper and with the ball rolling towards the goal it was cleared by the defense near the goal line. Mohomed Arushan had the ball in the net for Thihariya Youth but he was deemed offside.
Sasa then forced two excellent saves from goalkeeper Mohomed Farzan. One from the edge of the box after going past a couple of defenders and the other from 20 yards out which took a deflection but Farzan scampered back to tip it past the post for a corner. 
At the start of the second half the Lions brought in D.Hemachandra who made the difference early on with his pace. He was creating all sorts of trouble for the Thihariya Youth defense and was instrumental in adding the second goal for the Lions.
He linked up well with Sasa on the right flank going past two defenders and putting in a cross to the near post which was met by Mohomed Nifraz’s diving header. With two goals down Thihariya Youth needed to reply back soon but it was the visitors who bossed the match having the majority of possession. Farzan was again called in to make a save when Damith Kumarasiri boomed down the left flank and took a shot from inside the box.
At the start of the final ten minutes Thihariya Youth were awarded a penalty and Maji Hygenius stepped up to put to the ball in the back of the net reducing the lead to 2-1. There were nervous moments in the final few minutes but the experienced Up Country Lions defense held on for the win.
Speaking to ThePapare.com Up Country Lions Assistant Coach Devasarayan was pleased with his side’s efforts.
“1st half we didn’t play the way we wanted. In the 2nd half after I spoke to them they responded well and played an attacking game but we did miss a couple of opportunities. Championship is out of our reach so our aim is to finish in the top 8.”
