Emmanuel Ojinkeya missed two goal scoring chances as the two rivals, Renown and Saunders shared a point at the Kelaniya Football Complex.
The rivals, who have amassed 17 Premier League titles between them, flirted with boiling tempers with the raucous crowd getting in the thick of things.
Saunders were coming into the match in search of their first win in four matches having lost two and drawn two while Renown needed to bounce back from their shocking 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace away from home last week. Both sides were languishing in the bottom half of the group A points table with Renown in 7th place having won one and Saunders in 10th with 2 points.
It was a sedate start by both sides without much intensity as the first quarter of an hour went by with the two midfields battling for authority. Saunders were missing their midfield lynchpin and Sri Lanka U19 player Sunthararaj Niresh, as it clearly showed with the Renown midfield led by veteran Fazul Rahman started to take control.
Neither team was able to create any chances during the half except for one golden opportunity coming to Renown’s Emanuel Ojinkeya. Swift passing in midfield between Fazul and Mohamed Rifnaz let Fazal Mohamed running free on the left who came inside the box and sent the ball across the goal where Ojinkeya beat his marker only to see his first time poor effort go past the far post going one on one against the goalkeeper, Upul Perera.
Renown sent a few good balls into the box and for Fazal and Ojinkeya to run on to but Upul was alert to the danger in dismissing those. The first half ended with Renown having a slight edge.
The second half started in a livelier manner as Saunders started attacking with the likes of veteran striker Chrishantha Abeysekara, Dilan Kaushalya and Sri Lanka U19 forward Shaheel Azar. The trio sent Renown on to a defensive mode as a powerful Abeysekara effort was almost spilled by goalkeeper Sathish Kumar.
As the match went on and Renown attacked on the counter tackles started to fly in, raising the tempers and the decibel levels of the fans. Both sides were unable to galvanize their attacks with Emmanuel again missing going on one against Upul Perera and missing the goal at the far post. Perera pulled off excellent saves and showed great awareness to keep the Renown attack at bay.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Upul Perera
“We played better football today, last week it was not suitable conditions for us in Nawalapitiya. Emmanuel hadn’t gelled with the team much since he arrived a few days back but in the future he’ll get into the groove and score goals. Need to add some speed for the side and to work on our finishing,” Mohamed Amanullah, a satisfied coach of Renown added after the match.
“Happy with the result, even though we are in 10th place. Again need luck upfront and had luck in defense with them missing a few and Upul was brilliant,” coach of Saunders Imran looked at the positives.
