Police SC came from behind in the second half to secure a point against Air Force SC in the Dialog Champions League fixture played at Police Park as both teams provided a good game of quality football.
Both teams came in to the match after losing points in the previous game week and wanted to make amends for the loss of points.
Both teams started things off in a lively manner playing end to end football. Despite being stuck in their own half, trying to hold on to a threatening attack, Police SC found a way to counter.
Mohamed Sufaik broke Nilantha Pathirana with a lovely pass whose tentative cross hit the bar after a sloppy clearance from the defender.
Air Force SC not marred by the early threat from the Police, started to dominate the proceedings. Air Force midfielders worked the ball in a cool and calm manner before passing it to the speedsters from the flanks but Police was resolute enough to cut off the threat.
Both the goalkeepers had to be on their feet but were not threatened properly enough thanks to the defenders.
The 23rd minute saw Police getting another chance to go front in the game but Air Force SC’s goalkeeper Ruwan Arunasiri got down on time to stop Kelvin Kanu’s effort.
Air Force SC drew first blood in the 43rd minute when Dilshan Fernando stepped up to score a magnificent free kick after an Air Force player was fouled right on the edge of the penalty box. Fernando made no fuss as he took two steps before placing it to the top right corner in the dying minutes of first half.
Half Time: Police SC 0-1 Air Force SC
The second half started more or less in a same manner as the first. Air Force worked through in the opposition’s half through some quick first touch passing, foxing the police midfielders.
But the policemen didn’t let things go out of hand as they tried to counter. They were rewarded for their persistence in the 57th minute when a lovely one two between Nilantha Pathirana and Kelvin Kanu released the former in the flanks whose cross was awkwardly but effectively poked inside the net by the Police skipper Sampath Pathirana.
The goal reignited the match as Police SC grew in confidence and attacked forward in bunches. Sampath Pathirana had the chance to double the score but Arunasiri who had a great outing stopped the one on one chance again to make sure Air Force SC stay in contention.
Air Force SC, stunned after the goal slowly got their heads into the match. Dilshan Fernando tried a decent long shooter but Police SC’s keeper made sure he kept it away.
Air Force SC had their moment of magic in the dying minutes as Kavindu Ishan swirled past two defenders inside the Police penalty area, but he could only hit the crossbar despite beating the goalkeeper as the defenders converged to shrug off the danger.
The frenetic last few minutes saw both teams getting the chance for winner. Kanu broke Ranish free who had all the time in the world to slot the ball past the goalkeeper after going one on one but managed only to shoot at him.
Full Time: Police SC 1-1 Air Force SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Ruwan Arunasiri (Air Force SC)
Goal Scorers
Police SC – Sampath Pathirana 57’
Air Force SC – Dilshan Fernando 43’
Bookings
Yellow Cards – Nilantha Pathirana (Police SC), Nuwantha Charaka (Police SC), Kavindu Ishan (Air Force SC), Chathuranga Fernando (Air Force SC), S.M.N.C.Senavirathna (Air Force SC), Dilshan Fernando (Air Force SC)
