The match was done and dusted in the first half when Army scored three to beat Renown SC 3-0 in the Dialog Champions League Super 8 Week 3 fixture held at Kelaniya Football Complex.

Both teams faced off in the FA Cup Finals last year in which 10 men Renown SC was defeated by Army SC who came from behind to win the match. Fuelled by the rivalry of recent past, both potential title contenders came into the match to extend their winning run from second week and to detriment each other’s title challenge.

Army battle past ten men Renown to seal FA Cup glory

It was a thrilling encounter that lived up to all expectations when Army SC took on Renown SC in the final of the Cargills FA Cup 2016.

Things got heated up even before the start as both teams had to compromise on the jerseys in which Army SC changed their traditional yellow jersey to blue.  Renown SC came into the match missing their custodian Uzman Anver and Mohamed Fazal due to injury and suspension.

Both teams started off tidily building up attacking opportunities patiently. It was Renown who had their first goal on sight when Job Michael unleashed an effort past the diving goalkeeper but Army’s Asikoor Rahman was at the right place at the right time to clear the ball away.

Army SC responded immediately with a goal in the eighth minute. Sajith Kumara tricked two defenders as he cutback inside and deposited the ball into the top right corner of the net.

It was an end to end affair as both teams were attacking relentlessly

Sajith Kumara was at his typical best making many runs and creating all sorts of confusion in the Renown defence.

Army survive late surge by Navy to secure win

Army SC managed to secure their first win in the Dialog Champions League Super 8 stage with a 3 – 2 win over Navy SC in the last match of Week 2 at the Kelaniya Football Complex.

Just when it looked like the match was dying for lack of enthusiasm, Army SC scored through Madushan De Silva to double the lead in the 29th minute. It was a great team goal starting from behind and Madushan De Silva pounced on the Renown goalkeeper Dhanushka Rajapakshe’s mistake by completing a simple tap in.

Renown with two goals down tried desperately to put one before the break but Army SC was able to contain the Renown attack who looked a bit out of touch.

In the other hand Army SC’s skipper scored a ripper from left flank right at the stroke of the half time as Dhanushka Rajapakshe could not push the ball past the net.

Half Time- Renown SC 0-3 Army SC

A much focused Renown SC kick started the second half and started to move forward in numbers. They brought in the young Riyas Ahamed to add some freshness and pace into the attack.

Army SC adjusted well by staying deep and attacking through counter. The attacking trio of Issadeen Sajith and Madushan looked dangerous whenever they moved forward.

Renown punish New Youngs’ defensive errors in comeback win

After a horrid first half which included a defensive error resulting in goal and a penalty miss, Renown SC orchestrated a flawless second half display to beat New Youngs SC 2-1 in the Dialog Champions League 2016 Super 8.

Renown despite occupying the opposition half for most of the time could not breach the Army defense led by custodian Nilanka Kumara who saved all the efforts fell on his way.

As time ticked, Renown looked nervous as misplaced passes started to flow in not allowing the team to get into any sort of rhythm.

Army SC managed to make sure they finished the match with a clean sheet as they safely negotiated a rather dull last ten minutes without much fuss.

Full Time- Renown SC 0 – 3 Army SC

ThePapare.com Player of the match – Sajith Kumara (Army SC)

Despite all the intensity coming in, the match failed to live up to its expectation in the second half as Army sealed the deal in the first half with well taken three goals.

Speaking to ThePapare.com was the winning Coach of the day Fawmy,

“The team was excellent today. We won the match in the first half itself and we are happy about it. I wanted to improve energy and fitness level day by day and it is paying dividends. The combination between three players was commendable. We will take on one match at a time”

Head coach of Renown SC, Mohammed Amanulla was not happy with his team’s performance,

“The team played very bad today. Maybe Army SC was able to read our game but playing wise we were bad. Maybe the training was not enough and we didn’t have our normal goalkeeper and Fazal. We have to sort this out and come out better in upcoming matches”

Goal Scorers
Army SC – Sajith Kumara 08’, Madushan De Silva 29’ 44’,

Bookings
Yellow Cards
Renown SC – Mohamed Mujeeb 24’, Fazul Rahman 49’
Army SC – Nadeeka Pushpakumara 16’, Bandara Warakagoda 19’

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