Mohamed Fazal scored an injury time penalty as Renown SC secured a vital 1-1 draw against Army at CR&FC in the Dialog Champions League.
Group A table toppers Army SC took on Renown SC in their 9th week match of this years Dialog Champions league. Army still unbeaten this season by far the deserving team to be on top in group A. Renown on the other hand took time to hit their stride this season. Having drawn with Solid in their last match, Renown needed to get a win under their belt.
Army kicked off proceedings on this cloudy evening in Colombo. Saunders made some changes in their line up, Fazul Rahuman captaining the side in the match. It was a difficult task for both teams due to the muddy outfield as the heavy ball and the heavy outfield affected the whole match. Army made early inroads to the match through their forwards who found space in between Renown defense with Madushan De Silva almost putting Army ahead in the game when he received the ball inside the box but failed to give enough power in his shot on goal.
Renown couldn’t find a way to put Army under pressure in the first half. But Army took the majority of ball possession right through the first half. Gihan Wickramathanthri got a great chance to put army ahead but his header went just over the crossbar. Army skipper Dhanushka Wijesiri played a brilliant game in the middle helping his team to push hard at the Renown defense.
Army created many chances in the first half but failed to find the back of the net. Renown was lucky enough not to concede any goals. Their defense was all over the place and even their offense was not as strong as it had been in the last couple of games. First half ended with Renown’s resistance standing strong against the onslaught from the soldiers.
Half Time : Army SC 0 – Renown SC 0
Second half kicked off but not for long due to the heavy rain which fell upon the stadium. After the rain stopped, the referees checked the outfield and decided not to go ahead with the match and after a chat with both captains and match officials it was postponed to 23rd September 2015
Second half commenced as decided on Wednesday the 23rd of September at CR&FC grounds. Weather was the exact opposite today, it was sunny and humid. Renown kicked off proceedings. Army were threatening on Sunday and they kept their game in the same standard as it was. Renown looked more organized this time around. Army’s strength was their composure. They got close to get the lead in the game when Mohommad Rimsahn’s shot from the half line hit the cross bar. It took Renown Goal keeper by complete surprise leaving him no time to react.
Army broke the shackles in 76th minute through a penalty. Dimuthu Priyadharshan missing the tackle on Dilan Udayanga who tried to run through the defense. Madushan De Silva made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
Renown came back strong after that first goal. First it was through a free kick which was taken by Mohommad Fazal, it was denied by the cross bar adding more misery to the Renown camp. Then it was the Nigerians who almost found the equalizer for Renown. Francis Agbeti crossing the ball which found Emmanuel Ojinkeya which for their bad luck had the ball deflecting off from the upright.
Time was running out for Renown but they didn’t give up. Match went into injury time with army leading and during the last couple of seconds of injury time Army conceded a penalty. Keerthi Kumara trying to stop Dimithu Priyadharshana ended up giving away his teams win. Mohommad Fazal made no mistake with the penalty which gave Renown the all important equalizer.
Full time : Army SC 1 – Renown SC 1
ThePapare Man of the Match : Mohamed Fazal
Renown coach Mohommad Amunulla speaking to ThePapare.com
“I’m very happy with how they played the match. We wanted to win but we fell behind, but we didn’t give and we found that equalizer to make it a draw. I’m really proud of how they have improved from the first match and I’m looking forward get three wins out of the renaming matches.”
