Christopher Erastus scored a penalty with 8 minutes left as Crystal Palace FC came from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Hill-Country rivals Up-Country Lions in the Dialog Champions League group stage match at the Jayathilake Stadium, Nawalapitiya.
Both sides coming into the week with wins under their belt were looking to add to it. In the last two encounters both sides have a win each with Up Country winning 5-1 in 2014 and Crystal Palace winning 2-1 in 2015 on their way to the Super 8’s.
From the beginning of the game both teams played attacking football with Lions center forward Antony Anayo testing visitors’ goalkeeper Mohamed Ashan in the 2nd minute and just after that move Crystal Palace center forward Isaac Aba tried to score from inside the box but Lions goalkeeper Mohomed Luthfi saved it with a diving save.
Christopher Erastus and midfielder Mohmed Shifan got shots on target from outside the box but Luthfi handled them well.
In the 26th minute Up Country Lions were awarded a penalty due to a dangerous play by Ashan and Charles Orlu scored from the spot to give the hosts the lead. Five minutes later Antony scored the 2nd for Lions which was assisted by Ashen Lochana.
With their backs against the wall Crystal Palace fought back in the 42nd minute as skipper Aba curled in a wonderful free-kick to the far post to cut the deficit and make it 2-1.
Half time – Up Country Lions 2 – 1 Crystal Palace FC
From the start of the 2nd half Crystal Palace came into their usual attacking football style but their finishing was not successful.
Palace’s new recruit and former Sri Lanka U19 player Anjana Wickramasinghe gave a long and a well-placed cross pass but Erastus missed the post from his head.
In the 67th minute Mohamed Rawsan of Crystal Palace gave a good through pass beating all Lions defenders and Aba and Erastus came to finish it, but Lions defender Mohamed Usman cleared it with a sliding tackle.
Like Crystal Palace in the first half, it was an unfortunate time for Lions in the 82nd minute as Ishara Chandrarathne played a foul inside the box and result of that Crystal Palace received a penalty which was easily dispatched by Erastus to level the scores.
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Mohamed Luthfi (Up Country Lions)
Goal Scorers
Up Country Lions – Charles Orlu 27′, Antony Anayo 31′
Crystal Palace FC – Isaac Aba 42′, Christopher Erastus 82′Bookings
Up Country Lions – Anoyo Ozar, Mohamed Usman, W. Nawarathna
Crystal Palace FC – A.M. Ashan, Khalid Azmil
