Air Force SC booked their place in the round of 16 by defeating Civil Security 4-3 on penalties, as the FA Cup round of 32 game finished 1-1 in regulation time at the Kelaniya Football Complex.
Air Force winger Nipuna Bandara cancelled out Civil Security forward A.R. Wickramasinghe’s 56th minute goal, but neither team could find a winner in normal time.
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In the shootout, Nipuna Bandara blasted over while D.S. Hettiarchchi and Charindu Sampath failed to find the back of the net for Civil Security. Air Force found their way to the round of 16 in the FA cup when winger and Man of the Match Kavindu Ishan drove past goalkeeper Mohamed Fahuman breaking the hearts on the Civil Security players and supporters.
Both teams got out of the blocks quickly but it was the lads from the visiting team who settled better and dominated the next few exchanges.
Civil Security midfielder Priyankara tested the Air Force keeper Ruwan Arunasiri with a looping shot at goal but the goalie was up to the task as he tipped the early effort over.
D.K.Duminda, centre forward of Air Force had a perfect opportunity to break the deadlock but the forward’s effort deflected off the crossbar and strayed wide much to the dismay of coach Sampath Perera.
W.D.D. Weeramanthree and Suresh Kumara of Civil Security saw ‘yellow’ for two needless challengers within the first 30 minutes of play.
Air Force found their footing in the game and pressed the home defence dominating the first half but neither back line was breached as the first half ended in a stalemate.
Half Time – Civil Security SC 0 – 0 Air Force SC
Air Force coach rang in the changes bringing on Roshan Fernando in place of Lakmal Gunasinghe in hope of getting the elusive goal in the second half. Kumara Lankesara saw yellow early on in the second half for an unnecessary body check.
The home team, Civil Security scored first through A.R Wickramasinghe in which the forward seemed to be clearly offside but was not flagged by the linesman despite protests by the Air Force players as the goal stood handing the underdogs a life line.
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With tempers boiling over following the suspect goal, Civil Security captain, M.A.N.U. Madusanka and Air Force lad Gayashan saw yellow for a couple of blatant fouls.
After scoring in the 56th minute, the hosts sat back inviting pressure on themselves as Air Force pressed hard in search of the equalizer.
The visitors seemed to be geed-up by the referee blunder and pressed, going all out in attack, as Civil Security sat back absorbing wave and wave of Air Force attack.
Air Force brought on Jeewantha Fernando in place of D.K. Duminda, switching Kavindu Ishan from the wing to play up front.
The substitution was vital as the young winger dished up a delicious cross minutes after coming on. Nipuna Bandara found himself ahead of the final defender, heading across the goalkeeper, to restore parity.
Air Force continued to press following their goal but the stubborn Civil Security defence sustained to hold intact as the game ended with the scores locked at 1-1 and penalties was in store to decide a winner.
Going first in the shootout, Air Force goal-scorer Nipuna Bandara surprisingly blasted over giving his team the worst possible start. N.L.S Gayashan, Madushan Perera and Dinidu Kumara were all on target as Civil Security led Air Force 3-2 with two penalties remaining.
Kumara Lankesara, Jeewantha Fernando and captain Dilshan Fernando made it 3 all with Civil Security lads having two kicks to go.
Suresh Kumara missed his effort (4th Penalty) as the game was hanging in the balance at 3 all in the penalty shootout. Kavindu Ishan scored with his effort, which meant Civil Security could not afford a miss with their final penalty.
Charindu Sampath took the final spot kick for Civil Security but it was Air Force shot stopper Ruwan Arunasiri who had the last laugh reading the direction of the kick, stopping it successfully handing Air Force a narrow win and passage to the final 16 in this year’s FA Cup.
Full Time – Civil Security 1(3) – 1(4) Air Force SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Kavindu Ishan
Goal Scorers
Civil Security – A.R Wickramasinghe 56’
Air Force – Nipuna Bandara 74’Bookings
Yellow CardsCivil Security – W.D.D Weeramanthree 22’ Suresh Kumara 38’ M.A.N.U Madusanka 59’
Air Force – Kumara Lankesara 51’ N.L.S Gayashan 59’
