A.C.Frank and Bodrie Dimitri scored two goals each as Colombo FC continued the unbeaten streak in the 2015 Dialog Champions League winning 4-1 against Air Force in the opening match of the Super 8 round at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Colombo FC got off to a dream start scoring inside the opening minute through Frank but Kalum Perera equalized for Air Force midway into the first half. However, Colombo FC rested back the initiative when Frank and Dimitri scored in the final minutes before half time. Dimitri then converted a penalty on the stroke of full time with Frank getting injured in the process.
Photo Album – Air Force v Colombo FC – Dialog Champions League 2015 (Super 8)
Mohamed Roomy sent out an attacking lineup for the tough encounter and Colombo FC got the perfect response when Frank managed to poke the ball in from a Dimitri cross inside the opening minute. Air Force defender failed to mark Dimitri who from a edge of the box sent in a low cross towards the far post for Frank to score.
Colombo FC created a couple of chances taking advantage of the unsettled and rattles Air Force defense but the score remained the same until Kalum Perera came between Mohamed Imran and his defense to head home from close. Air Force did not look like they will score from open play but a free-kick from Kavindu Ishan gave them the opportunity. It was a perfect ball creating indecision between the goalkeeper and the defense which Perera took advantage of.
Even with the scores 1 all it was Colombo FC who were on a high and it needed two back to back goal-line clearances for Air Force to be in the game. A corner from the right was met with a powerful header by Dimitri which Ruwan Arunasiri managed to managed to flap back in on the goal-line and the rebound effort by Dimitri was cleared on the line by the defense.
Colombo FC did have to wait till the final few minutes of the first half to get a well-deserved lead when Frank after seeing his penalty missed pounced on the rebound. A brain freeze by Arunasiri saw him coming to the edge of the box and committing a foul on Dimitri which earned him a yellow card as well. Arunasiri made amends for his mistake when he saved Frank’s penalty but his defense were too slow in reacting as Frank scored the rebound.
Soon after Colombo FC double the lead when Dimitri connected to score a powerful low volley. A free-kick by Tuan Rizni towards the far post missed a clearance header by Dilshan Fernando and Dimitri duly obliged in setting himself up and striking to the corner giving no chance for Arunasiri.
It was an uneventful second half as Air Force failed to take advantage of their superior fitness levels and were unimaginative in creating a breakthrough while Colombo FC were happy to sit back deep defending and go on the counter attack when they had the ball.
Colombo FC defensive was solid with their approach with the experienced Mohamed Ramees leading the way as a counter attack in the dying minutes saw Frank going one on one against Arunasiri and went down under minimal contact and landed awkwardly on his leg.
His left leg had an ACL operation which kept him out of action for a season and it looked like it was a recurrence of it while Arunasiri received his second booking and was sent off.
As Frank was stretchered off, Dimitri stepped up to take the penalty and scored past Sanathana Pathum.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: A.C.Frank
“We went in with an attacking lineup because we know Air Force defense is not that good. I studied them and with my young attackers we wanted to put them under pressure. Ramees injury was just a cramp. Even with Frank this would be the same squad I had when we won the FA Cup a few months back. We have a good bench,” Mohamed Roomy added after the match.
