Army maul lackluster Brilliant SC to advance to quarters

Mohamed Issadeen scored a staggering eight goals as remorseless Army SC thumped Brilliant SC 12-1 at the Kelaniya Football Complex to storm into the quarter finals of the FA Cup.

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Army were coming off a cagey 1-0 against Nandimithra SC in the Round of Last 32 while Brilliant were given a walkover by Highlanders SC.

In rather over cast conditions the visitors, Brilliant SC got away to a surprising start opening the scoring in just the 4^th minute with Mohamed Rauf who got on the end of a sleek pass to place the ball home avoiding a sleeping Army defense.

This stirred the 2014 FA Cup champions to unleash a different class of football as Army started to drive at their visitors with venom.

It took them just six minutes to draw level when the skipper Madushan De Silva slid the ball past a helpless keeper.

That was beginning of a merciless onslaught by Army as they caved Brilliant SC to their own half for the remainder of the first 45 minutes.

They were richly rewarded for their style of play on the 12^th, 15^th, 27^th, and 39^th minutes as Issadeen, Sajith Kumara, Sanka Danushka cashed in on a resources-less Brilliant SC defense, with Issadeen scoring a brace.

The half drew to an end with the home side firmly on the driving seat by 5 goals to 1.

The second half barely provided any essence from the visitors as they continued to lack the edge to make a game out of the tie. Army on the other hand continued their barrage of attacks on Brilliant SC sensing an opening for an absolute mauling.

They left no room for error as they plied goal after goal in the second half as the misery continued for Brilliant.

Issadeen produced a flawless performance as he added to his brace on the 54^th, 59^th, 65^th, 73^rd, 79^th and 89^th minutes respectively which also saw a second for Sajith Kumara sandwiched between Issadeen’s 5^th and 6^th goals.

The visitors were left with nothing but to ponder upon spectacular attacking display by Army which decimated their defense on the day.

It was certainly men against boys as Army proved to be too good for their visitors who had no clue for the questions the soldiers asked of them.

ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Mohamed Issadeen (Army)