Perusinghe’s goal with the last play of the match gave Highlanders the division I title against Moragasmulla SC and promotion to the Champions League.
The two sides were from the same group C where they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw when they met a few weeks earlier and Moragasmulla SC finished top of the group with 14 points winning four and drawing 2. Although Keteriyans SC finished second in the group with 11 points and Highlanders SC finished third with 10 points – Keteriyans were banned from playing after they assaulted Colombo FC in the FA Cup ‘last 32’ round giving Highlanders a surprise call for the quarter finals. Highlanders managed to win their final two matches after having drawn the first three.
In the quarter finals Moragasmulla SC thumped former Champions League side Thihariya Youth 4-0 and Highlanders defeated Mawanella United 3-1. In the semifinals which were played in two legs Moragasmulla comfortably defeated Red Star 2-0 in both the legs while the Highlanders won 3-1 at home and drew the away leg 0-0 against Golden Star SC.
The first half was dominated by Moragasmulla SC who created chances at will but were unable to make them count on the scoreboard. It was largely due to desperate defense by Highlanders defenders who blocked a couple of efforts on target.
It was a feisty game by both sides with tackles flying in from everywhere and tensions dwindling on the edge. Towards the later stages of the first half the two teams traded free-kick’s and corners but none were able to break the deadlock.
The second half was a complete turnaround for the Rathnapura based Highlanders as they started to dictate terms putting more attacking options up front. They penetrated the Moragasmulla defense much more easily but the finishing let them down with the ball hitting the side netting and going over the crossbar. It needed a brilliant retrieve by the Moragasmulla goalkeeper to save a thundering long range shot by Perusinghe.
With the match deep into injury time and looking as if it would head into penalties, the Highlanders pulled a rabbit out of the hat. They earned a free-kick near the penalty box and the delivery by Priyan Sirisoma was misjudged by the goalkeeper and Perusinghe headed in, to the ecstasy of the majority of the Highlander fans who had travelled all the way from Rathnapura.
“I always had the belief that we will score. Especially in the second half we added more to the attack and we dominated. It has been an amazing journey because we drew the first three matches in the group stage and barely managed to get into the knockouts,” said Highlanders coach Wanigasuriya exclusively told ThePapare.com.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Priyan Sirisoma
