Colombo FC booked their place in the last 4 of the Vantage FA Cup 2018 with a 4-1 penalty shootout win over New Youngs FC after the game ended goalless at full time at Sugathadasa Stadium.
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Colombo FC came in as favorites though they were made to work hard for the Round of 16 win against Java Lane while New Youngs defeated Red Sun SC in their pre-quarter final clash.
Colombo were on the front foot in the early stages of the game. The first glimpse at goal came in the 5th minute when Buddhika Perera scuffed a cross from Mohamed Fazal. Steadily New Youngs too came into the game with the midfield holding on to possession and stringing together passes.
In the 10th minute Mohamed Aakib almost got to the end of a cross from Buddhika but it went just over with the goalkeeper Danushka Rajapaksha beaten.
Mohamed Rifnas was at his best in the midfield as all the attacks were through him as he spread the ball to either wing stretching the New Youngs defense. New Youngs efforts on goal were all from out of the Colombo FC penalty area and hardly troubled the custodian Kaveesh Fernando.
In the 37th minutes New Youngs came close to scoring the opening goal after a harmless long ball from J.M. Nimesh bounced in front of Kaveesh, whose misjudgment saw the ball bouncing off the crossbar.
Colombo FC front line too did not trouble the Rajapaksha much in the first half as crosses went harmlessly over.
Half Time – Colombo FC 0 – 0 New Youngs FC
From the start of the second half up until the hour mark goal mouth action were few and far between. On the hour mark Aakib did well to turn back a long ball and take shot from outside the box which went agonizingly over the crossbar.
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Minutes later Kaveesh was called upon to make a save from a cross from the right which he dully obliged keeping the New Youngs at bay. Colombo were pushing for a goal at every given opportunity but their clinical passing in the opposition half was missing on the night.
As the clock ticked New Youngs were playing for the spot kicks as they were confined to the midfield and not showing any ambition in the attack.
Full Time – Colombo FC 0 – 0 New Youngs FC
Colombo FC were clinical and made sure their first 4 penalties were converted by Charitha Rathnayake, Mohamed Fazal, Ahamed Shazny and Zarwan Johar. Madushanka Karunaratne converted the only penalty for New Youngs as C.L Dananjaya and Hasitha Priyankara both blazed their penalties over the crossbar to give Colombo a 4-1 win.
Penalty Shootout – Colombo FC 4 – 1 New Youngs FC
- ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Mohamed Rifnaz (Colombo FC)
Bookings
Yellow CardsColombo FC – Chalana Chameera 87’
New Youngs FC – Hasitha Priyankara 2’, W.S. Kurera 38’
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