Mohamed Issadeen scored a brace as Army made their way to yet another semifinal in the FA Cup defeating Up-Country Lions 2-0 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
On the road to the quarter finals, the Lions were stretched to the limit against Nandimithra SC and won on penalties in the ‘last 32’ round while they had a much easier time against Don Bosco in the pre-quarters winning 3-1 while Army got a walkover from Crystal Palace in the ‘last 32’ round and won 3-1 against six times FA Cup winners, Renown SC.
Army started with a wave of attacking football with Sankha Danushka striking a free-kick inches over the crossbar while Issadeen’s shot from Madushan De Silva was cleared by the defense; Punsara Thiruna headed over a Issadeen corner from close range.
It took a while for the Nawalapitiya lads to string together an attack with captain Nagoor Meera bicycle kicking it over from a cross. From the resulting goal-kick Army went on the counter attack as Sajith Kumara was fed the ball into the box by Issadeen and there were appeals for a penalty as it was cleared for a corner. Madushan’s dipping corner to the near post was cleared.
The Lions best opportunity came when a rare Sankha Dhanushka mistake let in D.Chandrarathne into the box and his effort was well cleared by the Army defense. With Up-Country starting to dictate terms in midfield through ex Sri Lanka caps Chathura Gunarathne and Nagoor Meera Amry, coach Mohamed Fawmy brought in N.Pushpakumara for Sankalpa Dayawansa adding experience to midfield.
Soon after, Army nearly got the lead when Sajith Kumara flicked a near-post header from a free-kick but it was brilliantly tipped past the post for a corner by Dasun Paranawithana. Then Issadeen was played on-side and he shot straight at the goalkeeper from close range. Army however didn’t have to wait long as Issadeen made amends for his mistake when he drilled the ball to the back of the net from a Dayawansa lay-off ending the first half.
The second half was a drag as Army with their superior fitness levels completely dominated the half keeping possession but found it hard to penetrate the defense as the Lions put men behind the ball. Sankha made a stepped up in his game for Army, completely controlling and making plays.
And one such vision by Sankha saw Issadeen scoring the second goal. Sankha picked Issadeen from deep inside his own half and Issadeen controlled it to fire it past the diving Paranawithana. Sajith’s shot near the end was saved by Paranawithana and Issadeen sent a Madushan cut-back over the goal as the minutes wound down.
“Our guys took time adjusting to the ground conditions. It was slippery and muddy. Missed a few chances but happy. Sankha played really well. Tactical change in bringing Dayawanasa worked. They had experience so I also used experience to counter.” Fawmy told ThePapare.com.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Sankha Dhanushka
