Super Sun SC and Java Lane missed a host of goal scoring chances as both sides had to be satisfied with a point at Vernon Fernando Stadium.
Stand-in captain for Java Lane, Malaka Perera and Mohamed Abdullah missed open goals in the first half while Super Sun too missed chances, most notably by Victor Ikenna in a frustrating afternoon for either side but the visitors would be happy to walk away with a 0-0 draw.
“No change in tactics, against Thihariya Youth was an off day for us last week. Java Lane is a strong side but we are better than them in experience, fitness and skill. Going in with the normal 4-4-2 and hope our strikers will produce the goods today,” coach of Super Sun George Augustine added before the match.
“We are minus five regulars today. Janaka Chaminda has transferred to Maldives to play club and Afam Akram, Naveen Jude on U19 duties while Rizkhan our captain is injured. We are today banking on the foreigners Hassaan and Edgar Modeste. Hassaan played well against Kalutara Park last week,” Zaheer coach of Java Lane added.
It was the visitors who made a quick start off the blocks with Mohamed Aleem, Mohamed Hassan and Abdullah combining well on either wing. They tested the goalkeeper, Mubashir but with weak efforts which were dealt with easily.
Midway through the first half Malaka Perera tried a shot from the six yard box which was spilled by Mubashir but was able to gather on the second attempt. A stirring move on the left saw Aleem sending a low ball across the goal but it evaded the onrushing Hassaan at the far post for a tap-in. Super Sun’s defensive errors kept mounting as a miscommunication between the goalkeeper and defenders saw an open goal opportunity for Abdullah but he was unable to connect his volley properly.
As the match went on Super Sun came into the match with Kwabena Bonsu marshalling the midfield, to camp inside the opposition half. However they were unable to create an opening which led to frustrated shots from out of the penalty box. On the stroke of halftime Super Sun were given a reprieve when another mistake by Mubashir left Malaka Perera with an open goal but his effort from a slight angle bounced off the near upright as the referee blew for half time.
Super Sun dominated the second half with Bonsu out-muscling his midfield opponents but the Beruwala based club lacked the killer instinct as Victor Ikenna and Nuwan Priyankara both missing a host of chances.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Kwabena Bonsu
“Second half we made a few changes and everything worked well except for the goals. No luck today for us but we’ll be ready for the next match,” a dejected but hopeful Augustine told ThePapare.com
