Renown SC recorded another important win against Air Force SC in the Super 8 stage of the Dialog Champions Legaue at the Kelaniya Football Complex today as Job Michael and Mohamed Uzman starred to give them a 2-0 win.
Renown, one of the three title contenders came into the match having to win all their remaining three games after a comprehensive 4-0 win against Solid SC while Air Force was searching for the first win in the Super 8 to save face in a dismal campaign.
Renown SC continued their march towards the Dialog Champions League title with two goals that killed the game in the first half itself, thus allowing Renown to keep their title hopes alive.
Air Force started the game on the front foot, controlling all aspects of play in the opening half hour of the game with their midfield powerhouse Nuwan Welgamage putting in a fantastic performance to halt the likes of Mohammed Rifnaz and Fazul Rahuman.
Navy gets first win of Super 8 round
The solitary penalty goal by Dammika Ratnayake was enough to secure Navy SC their first victory of the Super 8 round by 1-0 over Air Force SC.
This freed up Air Force skipper Kavindu Ishan, who along with Kelum Perera pushed forward for the Airmen. Ishan orchestrated play from the left flank, spraying across diagonals and twisting and turning the defense with his penetrative runs.
This nearly opened the account for the Armed Forces side as they nearly took the lead through Nipuna Bandara as he caught Hakeem Kamil on the ball. Unfortunately for them however, the Sri Lankan cap hit it straight at the onrushing Mohammed Uzman.
The tense recent history between the two sides was once again evident throughout the match with rough play giving out the first yellow card for Renown’s Rahuman.
Renown hit back soon after on the counter however and did manage to take the lead through Mohammed Fazal. Rizni found Job Michael and the African did well to round the keeper Ruwan Arunasiri and square it to Fazal who fired home.
Renown managed to make it two on the stroke of half time when a Dilshan Fernando miss pass fell to Mohammed Fazal who found Job Michael. The African then managed to send goalie Arunasiri the wrong way and finished the move off with a beautifully chipped finish to make it two.
Michael had the opportunity to make it 3-0 going against Arunasiri before half time but this time the Air Force custodian was upto the task.
Half Time – Renown SC 2 – 0 Air Force SC
The second half started off in far more competitive fashion with Renown, energised by their two first half goals , Renowned switched the roles of Mohammed Fazal and Mohammed Mujeeb , thus playing far better than they did in the first half.
The Colombo side showed far better shape in the second half, playing more of their Barcelona-esque play style with the likes of Rifnaz, Rahuman and Fazal playing a far more influential role than they did in the first half.
The first clear-cut chance fell to the Airmen however as a beautifully weighted Nuwan Welgamage pass was absolutely air-shot by striker Kelum Perera, letting Renown off the hook.
Convincing win for Renown over lacklustre Solid SC
In a must win game for two teams looking to keep up with Colombo FC at the top of the table Renown SC blew away their opponents from..
On the other end it was the combination of Job Michael and Mohammed Mujeeb, whose pace and combination play caused constant menace to the Air Force side. Mujeeb was released down the flank on more than one occasion, but unfortunately for Renown, his crosses were just a bit too much for the likes of Rifnaz and Fazal in the middle.
Both sides continued to battle on in the middle of the park with the game yielding four second half bookings, which showed just how intense the battle in the middle was.
As Renown tried to play out the rest of the game, Air Force continued to push on, but their effort were in vain as they had to resort to speculative shots from distance to try and break through the Renown defensive wall, all of which were to no avail. The close calls they did have were bossed by Renown custodian Uzman.
On the stoke of the full time whistle, Renown could have made it three, but Job Michael hit his effort straight at Arunasiri with just the keeper to beat.
Full Time – Renown SC 2 – 0 Air Force SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Mohomed Uzman (Renown SC)
Speaking to thePapare.com, Renown Coach Mohammed Amanulla said “We tried a different style of play today. We knew that Air Force will play a high-pressing game so we adjusted accordingly and it worked well.”
“The boys did well in the first half but they couldn’t sustain it and conceded mistakes, but a loss is a loss and it isn’t acceptable. We can’t win the Championship now, and we look to making improvements for the coming season” said Air Force coach Sampath Perera.
Goal scorers
Renown SC – Mohammed Fazal 34’, Job Michael 45’Assists
Renown SC – Job MichaelBookings
Renown SC – Fazul Rahuman 33’, Dimuthu Priyadarshana 50’, Mohammed Uzman 78’, Hakeem Kamil 83’Air Force SC – Harsha Fernando 37’, Kavindu Ishan 72’
