A brace from Mohamed Nafeer within a minute of the other secured the 3 points for Renown SC at Longdon Place. Renown was the more impressive side with a brilliant offense and defensive performance.
Renown and New Youngs entertained the new coach of Sri Lanka Claudio Roberto Silveira, who was the chief guest and his assistant, Guilherme De Abreu Rangel Jr. Both had already started with their roles and were seen taking down notes of the more outstanding performers in the match.
At the start Renown were given a rude awakening as a horrendous back pass saw New Youngs’ Asanka De Silva chipping the ball over the Renown goalkeeper to take the lead in the 2nd minute. The lads from Wennapuwa kept up the pressure and threatened to add to their lead. After the initial scare Renown settled down and started to dictate terms. The two sides were keen on attacking and had a few shots on goal. Renown’s sustained attacks saw them being awarded a couple of free kicks, and Nafeer missed a great opportunity to level the scores – his shot sailing over the goal. In the 34th minute Mohamed Fazal’s weak effort was saved by the New Youngs’ keeper Fazeel Aurudeen.
After the break Renown sticked with the attacking play. New Youngs’ defense was always on the back foot against the fast paced Renown forwards. Fazul Rahuman was the architect of Renown’s attacks, which were mainly from the middle. After having an average first half Fazul set up the goal for Nafeer in the 57th minute. Straight after the restart they took the lead with some slick passes. The initial shot was saved but Nafeer was on hand to poke the ball into the back of the net, much to the jubilation of the home crowd. New Youngs looked rattled by the two goals and kept misplacing passes. The hosts could have extended their lead if not for the solid defensive performance by the African, Wasiu Nurudeen. And Wasiu’s audacious banana kick from outside the box went inches past the post.
As the match went into the final minutes, New Youngs committed more men forward but were unable to penetrate the Renown defense who kept defending in numbers. With the incoming rain all hopes of scoring an equalizer for New Youngs’ washed away with the final score 2-1 in favour of Renown SC.
Speaking exclusively to ThePapare.com the new coach of Sri Lanka, Roberto Silveira, “It was a good game. There were some good performances and with each game they will improve.” He also said that he will be going to more matches in the coming weeks to scout for some fresh talents.
“We have improved from last week. They scored the first goal before we got settled in but we kept the pressure. After scoring the two quick goals all the players defended well.” The winning captain, Mohamed Sameer said with a beaming smile.
In Group A;
Saunders SC 0 – 0 Matara City SC
SL Navy SC 1 – 0 Java Lane SC
Super Sun SC 1 – 4 Colombo FC
And in Group B;
Kalutara Park SC 2 – 2 Up-Country Lions
Don Bosco SC 1 – 1 Nandimithra SC
