Solid SC’s title defense got off to an unexpected start as Police twice came from behind to finally edge out Solid with Sanjeev’s goal in the dying seconds winning 4-3 at the Police Park.
Police new recruit Shanmugaraja Sanjeev who joined from Renown SC sealed the remarkable comeback when he took advantage of indecision between the goalkeeper, Jayawardena and defense to head in the winner stunning Solid. Jayawardena was largely at fault for the reigning champions’ defeat as his poor positioning and judgment led to three of the four Police goals.
Solid looked to be the dominant force from last season and heading for victory inside the first 10 minutes when they raced to a 2-0 lead.
But Pradeep Kumara and A.Ranish scored in the next ten minutes and went into half time 2-2. Solid once again took the lead right after halftime, only to be pegged back again by never say die Police.
Solid were minus key players in goalkeeper Ayurdeen, Thilina Bandara both having transferred to Matara City and Super Sun respectively while last season’s captain Amith was unavailable for the match.
Solid were battering a shaky Police start with numerous shots on goal and in the 4th minute took the lead through P.Jesudason. The ball was delivered into the box where Gnanaruban Vinoth double effort was blocked point blank but the rebound was drilled low to the corner by Jesudason on the edge of the box.
Five minutes later Afis Olayemi added the finishing touches to a counter attack which started from their own half. Oluwafemi Shola motored down the right flank and put the ball into the box where Afis wrong footed the goalkeeper to tap it in.
Minutes later Police pulled a goal back against the run of play. From 25 yards out Pradeep Kumara seeing the goalkeeper out of his line curled in the ball to the corner of the net much to the relief of the home fans.
The hosts equalized in the 19th minute when Jayawardena misjudged a cross into the box which bounced over his head and Ranish was on hand to put it away from close range.
The teams went into halftime locked at 2-2 with Police dominating play led by Pradeep Kumara. However from the restart Solid once again proved their counter attacking power as A.Daniel danced into the box and his effort was deflected in by Kumara Lankeshwara for an own goal.
Still Police refused to back off as Lankeshwara made amends for his own goal with a stunner on the hour mark. Lankeshwara from long range sent a high looping ball towards goal and once again Jayawardena was out of goal and the ball crept under the crossbar for the equalizer to the jubilation of Lankeshwara and his teammates.
For the next half an hour Police created chances with Pradeep Kumara making the plays but without success. Afis Olayemi had the chance to give Solid the lead and the win when he was put clean through by Gnanaruban Vinoth but his shot just went past the upright.
Deep into injury time former Renown man Shanmugaraja Sanjeev made certain his first goal for Police would be a winning goal when he came in between Niroshan and Jayawardena creating indecision and heading the ball into the net as Police, last year’s bottom finishers defeated Champions Solid SC.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Sanjaya Pradeep Kumara
“We had good fitness levels to survive. These guys trained hard after what happened last year. It was a miserable season. Even after the first two goals we had the confidence to win it and the boys showed it.” Newly appointed Police coach Mohamed Noordeen told ThePapare.com
