Solid SC goalkeeper Fazeel Ayurdeen conceded a penalty and gifted another as a late Nalaka Roshan goal gave Navy SC a 3-2 win to qualify for the FA Cup semifinals.
Thakshila Danoj scored for the Anuradhapura club against the run of play only to see Navy equalize through a Christeen Fernando penalty on the stroke of half time. Prasad Lakshitha gave the sailors the lead in the second half, but Oluwafemi Shola made it 2-2. With Solid defending and time running out, it needed the brilliance of Sri Lanka vice-captain, Nalaka Roshan to give Navy that all important goal.
League Champions Solid SC has been unable to replicate their championship winning form, stumbling towards the quarters. In the ‘last 32’ round they had to win on penalties against the little known Mawanella United after it ended goalless in normal time and in the pre-quarters had another tough afternoon against St.Joseph’s Mannar to win 2-1. Navy on the other hand faced quality Champions League outfits in their ‘last 32’ round and pre quarters. The sailors defeated Super Sun 2-0 and came back from a goal down to equalize in the final minute and win on penalties against Air Force.
“We are in a good frame of mind. We are confident. We defeated Air Force, a good side in the pre quarters so we have a winning mentality. Not much concern about the goal scoring ability, last week was an off day. We have done our preparation in marking the two African players.” Navy coach Dammika Athukorale told ThePapare.com
“We have prepared well. We can come up with the win. The concern is Amith Kumara our captain and an important cog in the wheel is injured and will not play.” Mohamed Jasmin, coach of Solid SC added before the match.
Solid started the match rather nervously and without the presence of Kumara and Thilina Bandara – their main defenders, Navy took the game to the lads from Anuradhapura. Early pile driving effort by Subash Madushan was palmed away for a corner by Ayurdeen. Navy, a side known for possession play kept on putting the ball into the box trying to unsettle the new look defense but they held firm.
Out of nowhere an exceptional strike from Shola needed an equally exceptional diving save from Navy’s Ajith Kumara to deny Solid a goal. The mood in the Solid camp changed with Bandara – who arrived late for the match being introduced midway through the first half and now thwarted Navy attacks with confidence.
The confidence flowed to the forwards as well, with Thakshila Danoj giving the lead for the orange and yellow. Chathuranga Silva stole the ball from Navy player who tried to shepherd the ball out and cutback in to Danoj to finish off in the 34th minute.
Not to be disheartened Navy kept to their usual attacking play with Roshan’s free-kick’s causing trouble to the goalkeeper. In first half injury time Ayurdeen came out to block a Chathuranga Sanjeewa shot and went after it to gather but only succeeded in fouling Sanjeewa and giving away a penalty. He received a yellow card for his troubles. Christeen Fernando calmly slotted it pass the goalkeeper to go into halftime 1-1.
Navy continued the attacks and rarely gave away possession in the second half as Chathuranga almost made amends for his mistake but his header went just pass the upright. Another mistake by Ayurdeen gave Navy the second goal – when he came out to partially punch a ball in to no man’s land and Prasad Lakshitha drilled it to the roof of the net from six yards out.
Solid desperately needed some brilliance from their African players and it came six minutes after Navy took the lead in the form of Afis Olayemi. Olayemi skipped down the left wing and went along the byline and tried to put it pass Ajith Kumara at the near post. However it rebounded off the upright and Shola’s rebound was blocked but again it fell kindly for Shola who made no mistake this time in making it 2-2.
Solid seemed content with the equalizer and defended hoping to go into penalties – which ultimately proved to be their downfall. Navy brought in the experienced Dammika Rathnayake and he created a chance and headed the ball just pass the goal creating a nervous environment for Solid. With just four minutes left to play Roshan got the all-important goal when Rathnayake went to the byline and cutback in to Roshan who expertly curled it along the ground leaving Ayurdeen no chance.
“We played well in the second half. Both sides played well actually. They have foreign players, so that advantage is also there for them but we knew the way we played we can win. We are an attacking side and got the advantage.” Winning goal scorer Nalaka Roshan told ThePapare.com after the match.
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Nalaka Roshan
