An intense game of top skilled football on a cloudy evening at the City Football Complex ended with Java Lane SC prevailing with a fantastic win over Thihariya Youth with a goal from Mohamed Aleem
The first half of today’s grueling match remained goalless with both teams at their best. Many promising opportunities went un-countered by both teams while keeping the goalkeepers on their feet all throughout. It was the hosts who had numerous chances but poor finishing cost them the goals.
Thihariya’s Umar Munawwar had a couple of chances with the ball but was unable to convert any. Java Lane’s Malaka Perera had an opportunity but his powerful volley from a Mohamed Najibdeen cross was straight at the goalkeeper who did well to save it. In the 40th minute Najibdeen awarded himself a golden opportunity to score, but a lousy attempt ended the first half with no goals on the scoreboard.
However, special mention should be made of Umar and Najibdeen as they were the sole players who created opportunities for their respective teams, and was let down by their attacking line with lack of support.
Java Lane pushed as they tried to gain momentum early in the second half by long balls to the front line; although it posted no real threat to their opponents. A solo performance by Thihariya’s Umar Munawwar almost scored the maiden goal of the match but he was left unprotected and with absolutely no support from his teammates.
A counter attack gave Malaka Perera a clean strike to the back of the net but he was too slow on his feet as two Thihariya Youth defenders swooped in for the block. Another chance was missed when Java Lane’s Pradeep Kumara let his adrenaline rush get the best of him as he unnecessarily drove the ball with too much power, when all he had to do was roll it in to the net. He was later pulled out of the field due to a hamstring injury.
A scuffle broke out when Thihariya Youth captain Emmanuel Uchnna barged in after it appeared as Chamara De Silva had stamped on a Thihariya Youth player when taking a corner. After a 5 minute disruption from the game, Uchnna and goalkeeper Dammika Senarath received yellow cards.
With just over 5 minutes remaining in the second half, both teams were trying desperately to score and bag the winning 3 points. Mohamed Aleem did enough as he got on the end of a beautiful cross in by Mohamed Taaye to head home with ease and precision to make amends to a chance he missed minutes earlier going one on one against the goalkeeper and shooting straight at him. His smooth moves were misread by goalkeeper Masood and dived in the complete opposite direction leaving the goal wide open for Aleem to score the winning goal of this intense match, as the jubilant home fans celebrated at the final whistle.
