Gnanarupathi scored a second half brace and four others went on the score sheet as Championship hunting Solid SC made a statement of intent, crushing ten-man Renown at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Renown goalkeeper Saman Vimukthi was sent off for handling the ball outside the box and it went downhill from there for Renown with Solid taking a two goal lead into halftime. Second half substitute Sebamalainayagam Gnanarupathi scored two brilliant goals and Anton Ranjan struck a sublime 30 yard screamer as Solid brushed aside the helpless hosts.
Prior to kickoff, Renown coach Lt. Col. S. Pathmanadan happy to have his star center back and Sri Lanka player, Hakeem Kamil who had missed five matches due to a broken collarbone.
“Last week we lost 1-0 Matara City Club. Solid is on top of the table. They are a good team. They have foreigners we need to be careful. Most of our matches we could have won were drawn. Last five matches Hakeem didn’t play, in fact both our central defenders were injured. I am glad to have Hakeem playing today.” He added.
For Solid it had been a dismal week in terms of practice as all their practice sessions had to be abandoned due to heavy rain in Anuradhapura.
“Today’s game we are hoping to get the win. These few days we had no practices because of rain. It is hard for the guys to come out play without practice but these guys have it in them. We have two Sri Lanka players in Suranda Bandara and Gnanarupathi and have talented players from north.” Solid SC manager Sagara Piyathilaka mentioned.
It was end to end football from the onset with Thakshila Danoj heading straight at the keeper under no pressure and Mohomed Fazal had his effort with the goalkeeper out of position, deflected off for a corner. Solid’s Afiz Olayemi went through on goal but his first touch was too much and goalkeeper saved it.
The turning point of the match came midway through the half when Renown goalkeeper Saman Vimukthi handled the ball outside his area with Thakshila Danoj charging down the lobbed ball over the defense. Referee had no hesitation in awarding a direct free kick and dishing out the red card for Vimukthi. Renown were sent further into panic mode as they had no reserve goalkeeper listed in the team sheet and had to replace with an outfield player.
With a one man advantage Solid broke through the defense when Oluwafemi Shola headed in from close range in the 39th minute. Thakshila Danoj doubled the lead before half time lobbing the ball over the makeshift goalkeeper from a deep Shola free kick.
It was more of the same in the second half from Solid as Afiz weaved his way past defenders towards the byline and cut back in for Captain Amith Kumara, whose shot deflected off a Renown player and rolled into the net with the keeper scrambling.
Substitute and Sri Lanka squad member Gnanarupathi came on and further livened up the game and added the fourth drilling it past the keeper form his out step, after Shola messi-ed his way into the box and laid it off for the goal scorer.
The goal of the evening came from the unlikeliest of people in Anton Ranjan in the 82nd minute as he lashed on to a loose ball from 30 yards and buried it into the left top corner with his left foot.
Three minutes from time Gnanarupathi added his second clinically finishing on the volley after a intended clearance fell at his feet.
Solid captain Amith Kumara was delighted with the win.
“Guys played well. Didn’t have practices this week because of rain but we played better than I expected. Have tough final four fixtures ahead, with Navy, Negombo Youth and Air Force all in the top. Last season we were third in our maiden campaign in the premier division, this time our aim is for the Championship.” Kumara remarked.
“I think we played well. I am happy with the two goals. In the game against Army even though we won I made a few mistakes. Today there were no mistakes and looking forward to the final few matches. Hope we can get the wins.” Double goal scorer and final year student at the University of Jaffna, Gnanarupathi told ThePapare.com.
