Air Force and Saunders missed numerous chances, some sitters and had to settle for a point in an entertaining 0-0 draw at Katunayake in the Dialog Champions League.
Coming into the match Air Force were on top of the table in group A with 2 wins and a draw while Saunders were seeking their first win in the season having lost two and drawn the other and struggling in the bottom of the table.
Initially the visitors, Saunders were not happy with the ground conditions but after a discussion with the officials agreed to play. First quarter of an hour both sides were intent on attacking with end to end football. Saunders got the first opportunity when Dilan Kaushalya put a high ball into the box but Shaheel Azar was caught in to minds whether to head or volley the ball and missed the ball completely while on the other end Kavindu Ishan’s low cross was cleared by Rohana Ruwanthilaka.
There on in it was the visitors who threatened on regular intervals and most of them were from dead ball positions. Dilan’s curling free kick on the right which was heading into the top near corner was saved but fumbled by Prabath Arunasiri. However he managed to secure the ball.
Then another free-kick, this time from the left direct at the goal by Sunthararaj Niresh was flapped away by the Air Force goalkeeper. Niresh was the live wire for the Price Park boys as he continuously found Dilan with defense splitting passes, but none were able to convert.
In the second half Air Force fitness was on clear display as they turned the match around forcing Saunders to go on the defensive. Nipuna Bandara danced his way into the box but splayed his effort over.
Then again Bandara played a wonderful one-two with Captain Dhanushka Welgamage but Bandara’s cross goal ball had too much pace for Kavindu. A rare chance in the second half came for Saunders as Ruwanthilaka’s free kick was fumbled and the rebound header was cleared off the line by Harsha Fernando.
Substitute Shanka Udesh fed Kavindu inside the box one on one with the goalkeeper but his effort was brilliantly blocked by the Saunders custodian, Upul Perera.Nipuna Bandara, again missed a chance with goal at his mercy while another shot inside the box by Kavindu was saved by keeper at the corner.
The best chance for air force came when Kavindu was fed the ball in the middle and chested it downone on onewith the goalkeeper but he went for a powerful drive from close range which rattled off the crossbar, instead he should have placed it with ease.
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“Performance wise happy. We are on course so no time for practices. Bit unlucky today but played well. Saunders is also a good team. Whole team is at China Bay camp. No pre-season but good motivation within the team,” Air Force coach Tuan Raheem told after the match.
“Both teams played well. Ground conditions from the looks of it look poor. I didn’t play but looks like it. Very difficult to play. We have a good team and confidence going whole out to get to top 4. Not much luck today for either team,” Saunders coach Mohamed Imran added.
