Emmanuel Ojinkeya scored with minutes left as Renown earned a well-deserved 1-1 draw against championship contenders Army in the penultimate stage of the Dialog Champions League Super 8, at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Photo Album – Renown SC v Army SC – Dialog Champions League 2015 (Super 8)
With three clubs; Army, Renown and Colombo FC battling for the title this was an important match up. Sajith Kumara gave Army the early lead inside the first ten minutes and after struggling in the first quarter of an hour, a tactical change helped Renown dominate the rest of the proceedings as they found the equalizer late in the match.
Coming into the match Renown were heavily handicapped in the center back positions as they were without Francis Agbeti due to a suspension and captain Hakeem Kamil’s ineligibility. In their places it was Fazul Rahuman and Shamil Ahamed, where Fazul was exceptional and inspirational.
With Fazul in midfield, his void was filled by Sri Lanka U19 vice-captain Farood Faiz who struggled to get a grip on this pressure match. During that time Renown who usually keeps possession were running behind shadows as Sajith Kumara from the edge of the turned a defender and shot a low, powerful ball past Satish Kumar to give the lead.
Sensing a change was needed Coach Mohamed Amanullah brought in Prasad Yogaraja to replace Faiz, and shifted him to left midfield while playing Fazal Mohamed in the central midfield position. It paid dividends as Renown settled down to play their usual passing game through neither team created chances till half-time.
In the second half it was Army’s time to run behind shadows as Renown stretched the Army players left, right and center, keeping possession, frustrating and draining the energy out of them. This made Army sit deep inside their own half inviting pressure from the well drilled Renown side.
Renown created a few chances but the Army defense were able to clear the danger. Amanullah brought on another youngster in Mohamed Humaid on the hour mark as the game livened up towards the end with Renown bombarding forward in search of an equalizer.
The equalizer came in the 89th minute when Humaid’s cross from the left took a deflection and Nilanka Kumara was only able to palm it to the path of Emmanuel Ojinkeya at the far post who calmly headed in much to the delight of the fans and the bench.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Fazul Rahuman
What they had to say;
Renown SC coach Mohamed Amanullah;
“We came with no central defenders but wanted to defend through our attacks. Farood is a good player but today it was too much pressure for him. Army played a packed game so we stretched them wide which worked.”
Mohamed Fawmy Coach of Army SC;
“We played a defensive game but our performance was not up to expectations. We brought on unwanted pressure on ourselves which is kind of a characteristic with Army sides. Not satisfied but happy to get away with one point.”
