The newly crowned Champions League winners Colombo FC and runner-up Renown SC held off two comebacks by Super Sun and Crystal Palace to win 4-3 and 3-2 respectively in the quarter finals of the Mayor’s Cup.
Photo Album – Colombo FC v Super Sun – Mayor’s Cup 2015 (Qtr Final)
Colombo FC had a commanding 4-0 lead early in the second half but saw the lead cut down to one in the 80th minute, though Colombo FC weathered the storm to make it to the semi-final. In the other match Crystal palace scored first before a Fazul Rahuman double gave Renown the lead. Christopher Erastus equalized for Palace but Emmanuel Ojiinkeya scored the winner in the 76th minute.
Colombo FC v Super Sun
The two halves were played on two days as the match was postponed at half time with Colombo FC leading 3-0.
The Champions never looked to have eased off after the title celebrations as they scored as early as in the 2nd minute when Danushka Madushanka poked home from the six yard box after a scramble from a corner. The corner by Bodrie Dimitri was blocked off the line but after three missed attempts of clearing the danger Madushanka pounced on the chance.
Colombo controlled the match with slick passing and threatened the Super Sun goal on a couple of occasions, where Tochokeu Francis cleared the danger.
However a missed clearance by Francis led to the second in the 19th minute as A.C.Frank raced forward going past the goalkeeper and brushed off a challenge from Thilina Bandara to score into an empty net.
Super Sun got a couple of opportunities to score but brilliant goalkeeping by Mohamed Imran kept them scoreless.
Frank was substituted due to an injury near half time and his replacement Ahamed Shazny scored on the stroke of half time after Madushanka laid the ball to the edge of the box to side foot home into the top right corner.
After the second half resumed the next day Momas Yapo scored the 4th in the 50th minute and it looked like it would be an easy victory for Colombo FC. However with coach George Augustine making all three substitutions at half time bringing in Mohamed Fadil, Mohamed Ahsan and Mohamed Faizal things looked positive for the Beruwela club.
Faizal scored the first of the three in the 52nd minute and Captain Mohamed Hafeel the second in the 70th minute. With Afis Olayemi scoring in the 80th minute it set up a grandstand final ten minutes with Super Sun searching for the equalizer which unfortunately for them did not arrive.
Renown SC v Crystal Palace
Jean Francois scored in the 28th minute against Renown which was minus Captain Hakeem Kamil and Mohamed Rifnaz who were on National duty.
Eight minutes later stand-in captain Fazul Rahuman equalized with a wonderful finish. Fazul continuing his impressive form gave the lead on the hour mark but Erastus squared things off at 2-2 with a penalty after goalkeeper Mohamed Usman fouled a player inside the box.
Emmanuel Ojinkeya scored for Renown in the 76th minute which ultimately proved to be the winner.
Mayor’s Cup – Semi Finals (Live on ThePapare.com)
1st Semi Final – Renown SC v Mayor’s XI – 04.30 pm
2nd Semi Final – Colombo FC v Saunders SC – 06.30 pm
