Colombo registers narrow victory over Up Country Lions

Lucky break at the stroke of half time and a dominant second half display ensured Colombo FC cling onto a 1-0 win over Up Country Lions SC as they secured all-important 3 points in the Dialog Champions League 2016 fixture held at Kew Points Road.

The match had a frantic start when Lions’ forward Antony Anayo was taken down which looked like inside the penalty area. However, the referee awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box after discussing with linesman.

Things started to cool down after the first few exchanges of attack in pursuit of a goal as Colombo FC slowly gained the possession of the ball.

Despite having much of the possession, the hosts players found it difficult to break the defense line. The forwards looked down at their own half asking for balls rather than making runs inside opponents’ penalty area.

Using the lack of unpredictability of attack, Up Country Lions started to open up by creating counter attacking opportunities.

Afeel Mohamed from Colombo FC prevented a teasing cross from Antony Anayo to keep his team in contention.

But Up Country Lions looked threatening and attacked in bunches when they got the chance. Lions’ Captain was the main distributors of through balls and Colombo FC defenders had to be on their toes to cut off the threat.

Colombo FC’s goalkeeper Mohamed Imran had to make double save, first a diving header from Navarathna followed by a half volley effort by Antony Anayo as Up Country Lions were once again denied the elusive goal.

With seconds remaining in the half, Colombo FC was awarded a free kick. Tuan Rizni’s effort looked like a routine save for the keeper. But communication error from the keeper and the defender ended up deflecting the ball into the back of his own net.

Half Time: Colombo FC 1 – 0 Up Country Lions SC

Second Half saw a much more organized Colombo FC display as they pounced on the goal to pick up momentum.

Nagur Meera had a one on one chance with the Up Country Lions goalkeeper, who managed to get down on time to make a terrific save.

Colombo FC piled on pressure by orchestrating attack after attack not giving the visitors any room to pass the ball.

The first booking of the match came in the 61st minute when Up Country Lions’ Ebuka Ikeh got a yellow card for late challenge.

Colombo FC started to look more and more comfortable and threatening and caused all sorts of trouble to the Lions’ defense. But it was the goalkeeper Mohamed Luthfi who had the toughest time, but he kept bravely to stop all the attack.

With ten minutes remaining in the clock, Shazny had an easy opportunity to score and put the match to bed, but shot straight at the keeper.

Colombo FC settled with the things as they passed out the last ten minutes without fuss while Up Country Lions SC were left wondering what hit them after a pretty decent first half performance.

Full Time: Colombo FC 1 – 0 Up Country Lions SC

ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Nagur Meera

Up Country Lions SC who are fighting for a top four place in Group A came into the game looking to make most out from the absence of Colombo FC’s star player Zarwan Johar but couldn’t achieve their desired result. On the other hand, Colombo FC after the loss in the first game week against Blue Star SC kept riding on the winning momentum with a routine win.

Goal Scorers:
Colombo FC – Tuan Rizni 45+2’

Bookings
Yellow Cards- Ebuka Ikeh 61’ (Up Country Lions SC)