Navy SC had a vise grip on the match as they out-played and outclassed Super Sun SC for a comfortable 2-0 win in the Dialog Champions League group B clash at the Navy Base in Welisara.
Even though Super Sun had lost with the same margin the last time these two sides met, in the FA Cup last 32 round clash, they were on a high winning the opening two encounters in the Champions League and heading the table. Navy coming back to the home ground were determined to get a win after being defeated by Java Lane at the City League Football Complex last week.
“We are ready. Got a few more experienced players and national players from last time we met here. It will be tough but our guys are motivated and the morale is high,” coach of Super Sun George Augustine added before the match. 
Super Sun were dealt a huge blow even before the match started as one of their main midfielders partnering Chathura Gunarathne, Kwabena Bonsu had to sit out because of a suspension. In his place was Thilina Bandara who was playing in an unfamiliar position to his preferred centre-back position; and never looked comfortable throughout the match thus Super Sun were unable to take control of the midfield.
After the early nerves Navy settled down to their rhythm keeping ball possession and passing it around. However the midfield battle between the two maestros were evenly matched with the two former and current Sri Lanka vice captains Chathura Gunarathne for Super Sun and Nalaka Roshan for Navy never giving away an inch.
Towards the end of the first half a raking ball from the left by Subash Madushan from his own half created confusion and David Osagie capitalized on it to head home the opener. The cross was in between the goalkeeper Mohamed Fahid and his center-backs, where Fahid made the error of coming way off his line to collect it but Osagie was quicker to it.
It was the same story in the second half but this time Navy were creating chances at will only to see the finishing touches letting them down. Substitute Chathuranga Sanjeewa had numerous chances to score but failed with a couple of unmarked headers from close range going over.
For Super Sun two of their inform strikers Nuwan Priyankara who scored a hattrick in the first match and Silmy Hassan who scored a brace in the 2nd match were on the bench leaving no support for lone striker Victor Ikenna who cut a frustrated figure up-front throughout the 90 minutes.
Towards the end, with Super Sun desperately searching for an equalizer pushed men forward leaving space behind the defense. Navy took full advantage of it as substitute Prasad Lakshitha sent in a low drive into the box from the right where Sanjeewa made a beautiful dummy for Chalana Chameera to score from an easy tap-in from close range.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Subash Madushan
“Last match we struggled because of the ground conditions but today in our home ground we dominated. We missed a few easy goals because we took it easy after getting the lead 1-0 lead, but we regrouped to score another and win,” a satisfied Navy coach Dammika Athukorale told ThePapare.com.
