Substitute goalkeeper Mohamed Haslan saved a penalty and Java Lane one as Colombo edged through to the quarter finals of FA Cup winning 4-3 on penalties after it ended 1-1 in normal time.
The penalties were recommenced after the match on Thursday was stopped after full time because of unavailability of lights at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
“We have a very young team, apart from Madawa Ruwansiri all are between 19 and 24. Also we got a new coach in Mohamed Zaheer who was the first of the Sri Lankans to play overseas.” Java Lane manager Mohamed Jiffry told ThePapare.com
Colombo FC coach Mohamed Roomy was happy to have his star player back. “Frank is starting, bit of nerves as he is coming after a long injury layoff but will be fine as the match progresses. Also Mohamed Jein is playing after 2 seasons. Got his knee injured playing at this stadium two seasons back.”
Both sides had trouble adjusting to the slippery conditions in the opening 10 minutes. It was Colombo FC who got things going with A.C. Frank missing from a difficult angle and a couple of corners going close, while Frank’s cut-back to Bodrie Dimitri was blocked by the Java Lane defense.
Thereafter Malaka Perera played a one-two with Madawa Ruwansiri and volleyed an effort wide with Afam Akram all alone at the far post expecting a cross. Colombo FC’s newest addition Sega Momas powered his way to the byline and cut-back in for Frank whose shot missed at the far post. Both sides exchanged chances but neither could capitalize.
Colombo FC replaced Captain Raumi Mohideen at halftime due to injury and it looked as if Java Lane had taken control of the match with Afam missing an expansive scissors kick from a cross by Muneer Sally and Mohamed Abdullah creating havoc on the right wing.
Abdullah who was the stand in captain for Java Lane made a telling play when burst through the right stumbling but staying on his feet and crossing to Afam whose header was tipped to the crossbar and out. However the danger was not over as Malaka Perera volley the rebound home sending the Java Lane fans wild.
The goal enlivened the match and the pace of the game quickened with Dimitri and Frank combining to open some chances. A back header by Dimitri fell to Frank and his effort was deflected out for a corner. Then Frank sent a ball into the box for Madushanka to run and he was fouled by Dhammika Senerath giving a penalty. Tuan Rizni buried it leveling the scores as the lights deteriorated rapidly with the final quarter of an hour played in almost complete darkness.
In the penalty shoot-out Colombo FC brought in Haslan replacing Mohamed Imran which proved to be an inspired substitution by Roomy. As he saved one penalty and almost saved Sally’s effort while the only miss by Colombo FC was by Rizni.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Mohamed Abdullah (Java Lane)
