Blue Star scored a late equalizer as they fought back from a goal down twice to draw 2-2 against Up Country Lions and almost vanish the hosts’ chances of making it to the Super 8’s, in the Dialog Champions League group stage match at the Jayathilake Stadium in Nawalapitiya.
It was a slow opening 10 minutes by both teams with neither team getting any shots on goal.
After some midfield play the Up Country Lions received a free kick on the line of the box. Charles Orlu’s shot went through the wall and into the back of the net, giving the Lions the lead.
The visitors tried to level the game but the Lions goalkeeper Mohomed Luthfi made some important saves.
The Lions’ players also tried to increase their lead but the visitors’ last defender Nasiru Opayemi cleared effectively.
In the last couple minutes of the first half, Blue Star center forward Afonja Jibola had two chances to score but he missed on both occasions.
Half time – Up Country Lions 1 – 0 Blue Star SC
From the start of the 2nd half, the Up Country Lions played a defensive game and the visitors took advantage of it.
In the 52nd minute Blue Star received a free kick similar to the Lions’ 1st half free kick. Mohomed Farzeen took it and placed it perfectly into the top left corner of the goal to level the game.
In the 65th minute Blue Star’s Idowu Hameed got a one on one ball but it was saved by Luthfi. Soon after EB Channa’s shot hit a Blue Star player and soared over the crossbar.
In the 73rd minute the Lions’ right winger Ashen Lochana passed to striker Antony Anayo, who placed it over the goalkeeper into the goal. Soon after Ashen had a chance to score another goal but he missed.
In the 83rd minute Blue Star received a corner kick, Mohomed Farzeen took it and placed it into the box where Opeyemi scored the equalizer with a diving header.
Full time – Up Country Lions 2 – 2 Blue Star SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Nasiru Opayemi (Blue Star)
Goal Scorers
Up Country Lions – Charles Orlu 11′, Antony Anayo 73
Blue Star – Mohomed Farzeen 52′, Nasiru Opayemi 83′Bookings
Up Country Lions – Ebuka Ikeh
Blue Star – Rangana Silva