Skipper Madushan De Silva scored twice to give Army all three points against a resilient Up Country Lions in the Dialog Champions League, at the Jayathilake Stadium in Nawalapitiya.
Both teams came to this game with confidence and without any losses, with Up Country Lions with two wins and a draw and Army SC with 2 wins.
From the beginning of the game both teams played good attacking and attractive football. Army midfielder Sanka Danushka tested Lions goalkeeper Tharanga Jayarathna by a long shoot from outside the box, but Tharanga made a diving save.
Lions forwards Vibhushana Nawarathne and Charles Orlu also tried to score but their finishing were not successful.
With some missed attempts from both teams it was scoring time for the visitors in the 21st minute. Skipper Madushan Silva scored his opener for his team with a header from a cross from Suraj Bernard.
From that point onwards both teams tried to score but they were unsuccessful.
Half time – Up Country Lions 0 – 1 Army SC
From the beginning of the 2nd half visitors showed their usual attacking football style, forwards De silva and Dilan Udayanga tried score but goalkeeper saved them with some diving saves and also left defender Lasantha Nuwan did a great job.
In the 53rd minute Lions left defender Lasantha Nuwan came to the box by beating some Army players and had a golden chance to equalize but he missed the post.
In the 61st minute De Silva scored his 2nd for his team. He came straight to the post with a speedy run and scored from outside the box.
After that Lions forwards Charles and Ashen Lochana had some chances to score but visitors’ goalkeeper Nilanka Kumara managed them well.
And the game ended up when final scoreboard was 2-0 by giving Army their 3rd consecutive win of the DCL 2016.
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Madushan de Silva (Army SC)
Goal Scorers
Army – Madushan De Silva 21′ & 68′
Army Skipper and the Man of the Match spoke to the ThePapare.com after the game;
“We are in a good form and a good mentality with being unbeaten in mind. This our 13th consecutive win and 3rd of the Champions League. And our hope is to do the same in the upcoming games also.”
