Three first half goals enabled defending champions Colombo FC hold off a resurgent Navy SC amidst torrential rain in the 2nd half to bag all three points with a 3-1 win in a week 5 clash of the Dialog Champions League Super 8 at the Kelaniya Football Complex.
Colombo FC who was on the back of an impressive performance against Mohun Bagan in the AFC Cup Qualifier met Navy, who secured their first win in the Super 8’s in week 4 against Air Force.
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The sailors started off on the front as they pegged the Colombo players to their own half. Despite the likes of the Navy skipper Krishantha Perera and Dammika Rathnayake running at the Colombo defence, they created very little out of their early dominance.
Colombo on the flipside was biting their time ready to pounce on the counter as they held their shape well in defence leaving Navy at bay.
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As one such opportunity presented itself in the 20th minute, the Colombo forwards pounced forward as Zarwan Johar sent through David Osagie who lined up an advancing Nagur Meera to break the deadlock. Osagie made life difficult for Meera but he managed to finish it with precision after twisting his body into position.
Couple of minutes after the goal Zarwan once again stepped into play David Osagie through as the latter sent the ball bursting through Udayanga Reginold in the Navy goal with a thunderous instep shot to double their advantage.
Navy seemed completely at sea with their backline, minus the suspended Chalana Chameera who received a red card last week, being breached at will, though they still kept charging forward with intent seeking that elusive goal.
Jeran Fernando missed a golden chance to pull one back as he found the goal at mercy with the goalkeeper Mohamed Haslan stranded in no man’s land, only to see his shot slip agonisingly wide.
Navy paid dearly for their cynical error soon after as the very next counter-attack resulted in yet another lightning attack in which Afis Olayemi set up Nagur Meera for his brace and the third for Colombo FC leaving Navy in absolute tatters.
Half time – Colombo FC 3 – 0 Navy SC
The second half had a rather sedate start after heavy passing showers with both teams struggling to come to terms with the weather and sluggish outfield.
However, it played into Colombo FC’s hands as they were more than content with holding onto the ball and breaking up any form of attack Navy managed to put together.
It seemed a rather straightforward win for the Colombo lads up until Chathuranga Sanjeewa who was a class apart in the second half came up with an outstanding solo effort to pull a goal back for the sailors.
That brought the game back to life as Navy surged forward with new found belief hoping to salvage something out of the game. As the torrential rains came down once again, the game took an ugly turn with no real conviction in it with hefty challenges from both sets of players.
Despite the intensity from the Sailors they couldn’t breach the Colombo fort for the second time running as the game drew to a close with Colombo keeping their title hopes alive with a much needed victory heading into the last two weeks of the Dialog Champions League Super 8’s.
Full Time – Colombo FC 3 – 1 Navy SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Momas Yapo (Colombo FC)
Speaking post match the coach of Colombo FC Mohomed Roomy;
“We played a one touch game at the beginning but the rains stemmed the flow of our style of play so it was hard for us with the sluggish field. The players who returned from injury still need time to sink into the team as well so in time for our next game we will be better.”
Speaking post match the coach of Navy SC Dammika Athukorale;
“We were unfortunate with two goals which we thought was offside and our players froze expecting the flag, however it was a good fight back in the second half we were the better team. Still we couldn’t get the desired result for us.”
Goal Scorers
Colombo FC – Nagur Meera 20’ & 41’, David Osagie 23’
Navy SC – Chathuranga Sanjeewa 61’
Assists
Colombo FC – David Osagie 20’, Zarwan Johar 23’, Afis Olayemi 41’
Bookings
Yellow Cards
Navy SC- Dammika Rathnayake 14’
Substitutions
Colombo FC- Danushka Madushanka (on) David Osagi (off), Ahamed Shazli (on) Rawme Mohideen (off)
Navy SC- Nirmal Wijethunge (on) Jeran Fernando (off), Nalaka Roshan (on) Kanagaraja Sudarshan (off), Maduranga Perera (on) Pradeep Perera (off)
