Old Mazenodians defeated Youngsters SC 2-1 and Super Beach won 1-0 against Air Lanka SC to go through to the 3rd round of the FA Cup 2016.
Super Beach v Air Lanka SC
Super Beach SC beat Air Lanka SC 1-0 in a close encounter in the 2016 FA Cup 2nd round match at Vernon Fernando Sports Complex, Kalutara.
Super Beach executed their game plan from the opening whistle as they dominated possession and even though Air Lanka SC played a better game in the 2nd half it was not enough.
Both teams struggled to control the ball and took time in settling down giving away possession to the opponents.
However, Super Beach’s Rohitha Kumara and Nishantha Kumara stood out as they showed some good ball control.
Nishantha Kumara scored an easy goal right along the ground, passing Air Lanka’s advancing goalkeeper F.M.Imthiyas just before halftime.
Super Beach SC didn’t let anyone from the Air Lanka team bring the ball back to their net within the first 45 minutes by maintaining their strategic positions well.
Both the teams showed some good discipline during the first 45 minutes, but Air Lanka SC seemed to get a bit desperate to score a goal towards the end of the match, resulting in them disrespecting the referee and their opposition.
Most of the tries made by Air Lanka in the last 45 minutes were wayward, while some went right into the hands of the Super Beach Goalkeeper Kasun Dananjaya who made a spectacular save by sending the ball over the cross bar in the 45th minute of the match.
Air Lanka came out from half time to get an equalizer but were let down by poor finishing in the attacking third.
Their best opportunity came when Rahuman was sent through one on one with the goalkeeper, but he wasn’t able to keep the ball between his feet long enough.
Yellow cards given to Air Lanka goalkeeper Imthiyas and M.N.M.Rikas for aggressive behavior against the opposition and disrespect towards the referee made it obvious that they were getting desperate.
More yellow cards were given to W.K.Lakmal, Prageeth Armstrong and Gihan Wanniarachchi from Super Beach SC.
None of the teams were able to successfully execute any of the free kicks or corner kicks awarded to them.
Mr. B.M. Ashad was the referee for the match, while Mr. Malaka Dimuthu and Mr. A.D. Daminda assisted him.
Old Mazenodians v Youngsters SC
Old Mazenodians FC dominated from the beginning and scored in the 17th minute through Lasitha Tharanga.
Youngsters SC lacked proper attack, with many off-sides and long range shots without proper aim to the goalkeeper.
However, later on Youngsters came back to the game with an equalizer in the 36th min.
The 2nd half began with both teams attacking with all might. Youngsters SC especially made some brave breakthroughs but both defenses held strong denying each other the chance of getting ahead.
The intensity of the match was clear through the fact that scuffles tried to breakout a couple of times, but was controlled to give good game.
In the 81st minute the ball was seen rocketing upwards in the direction of the Youngsters’ goal, where the keeper fumbled with the high ball and let it in giving away OMFC the crucial goal that won the match.
Thus the FA Cup final of the Wattala League ended with OMFC becoming champs.
Other Results
Group A
2nd Round
Kirulapone United SC (Col.) 7-0 Old Hameedians FC (Col.)
Old Royalists SC(Col.) 2-0 Valencia SC(Col.)
Group C
2nd Round
Young Bees SC (Negombo) 4-2 Morning Star SC (Negombo)
(By Thejana Satanarachchi & Ravindu Rodrigo)
