The Mayor’s XI formed less than a week ago produced a major upset when they defeated the red-hot Renown SC 2-0 in the semifinal of the Mayor’s Cup at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Photo Album – Renown SC v Mayors’ XI – Mayor’s Cup 2015 (Semi Final)
Nissanka Jayaweera scored a goal each in either half as the Mayor’s XI totally dominated Renown in all aspects to book a place in the final, continuing the good form after defeating Java Lane 4-1 in the quarter final.
Pre-match prediction was that Renown would walk away with the game given the form they were, even without Mohamed Rifnaz and Hakeem Kamil but it was the Mayor’s XI who did one over Renown show casing the slick passing as they more often than not were inside the Renown half.
However it was not until the final ten minutes of the first half that the Mayor’s XI created the chances, with goalkeeper Mohamed Usman called into action a couple of times while Ishun Achooty’s shot on the turn went millimeters past the far post.
There after Punsara Thiruna tried to curl one to the near post from an acute angle after Usman partially cleared away a corner, but only succeeded in hitting the side-netting.
Mayor’s XI was rewarded after sustained attacks when Achooty raced to the byline and cut-back in where Nissanka Jayaweera sloted it past the diving keeper to the far post giving the lead into half time.
In the second half Renown looked more in control than in the first half but once again it was Mayor’s XI who created the chance for the second only to see Punsara Thiruna blazing it over. Nadeeka Pushpakumara released Bawa Mumuni who came into the box and squared off an unmarked Thiruna who fired it over the crossbar with the goalkeeper charging out.
Renown was awarded a free-kick just outside the box which Fazal Mohamed could only curl it past the upright with goalkeeper Sudesh Suranga rooted to his place.
With Renown searching for an equalizer towards the end, the match became more open as Fazal produced a delightful cross into the box where an unmarked Emmanuel Ojinkeya trying to control with volleying it gave Suranga an easy recovery.
Then Achooty clipped the ball over the onrushing Usman from a through ball but it landed on the roof of the net. However with Renown pushing men forward they looked vulnerable in defense as Thiruna raced to the byline and cutback in where once again Jayaweera was on hand to make it 2-0 and bury the game.
Coach of Mayor’s XI, Rohan Wickramarathna;
“We had a plan for every match and today our guys played their best. We played well in the first half but missed a few goal scoring chances. We lacked fitness because we haven’t been able to practice together for long periods so the game was lacking in the second half but managed to grind out the win.”
