Police SC registered their first points the Dialog Champions League 2016 after a surprise 3-2 win over Java Lane who fought back twice from a goal down, in a thoroughly entertaining game played at the City League Football Complex.
Java Lane started the brighter of the two teams with a couple of early chances falling for forward Uchenna who failed to convert on both occasions.
It was Police SC however who took the lead much against the run of play when midfielder A.A. Ranish played the lively Mohamed Sufaik through on goal, to see the forward coolly slot past Prince in the Java Lane goal in the 12th minute.
Java Lane continued their dominance and their pressure eventually paid off when Mohamed Aleem’s cross into the box fell to the feet of Naveen Jude who fired them level in the 42nd minute, after been disallowed a goal for off-side a few minutes earlier.
Parity was short lived though as just 2 minutes later a long ball towards Kelvin Kanu was knocked down for an unmarked Sampath Pathirana to smash home from 12 yards out to put Police 2-1 ahead.
The first half drama continued into stoppage time when Naveen Jude ran at the Police defence and a partial clearance saw the ball sit up nicely for him at the edge of the box, from where he unleashed an unstoppable volley to tie things up yet again for Java Lane.
Half Time: Java Lane 2-2 Police SC
Both teams struggled to get going in the second half as the game became rather ill-tempered with injuries and booking disrupting the flow of the game for most of the half.
Police took the lead for the 3rd time in the 78th minute as a great cross from Chamika Kumara was headed home by Kelvin Kanu.
Things got worse for Java Lane soon after as left back Alagaraj Dagish was shown a straight red card for lashing out at a Police player, thus reducing the home team to ten men for the final 10 minutes.
Java Lane did pile on the pressure towards the end as Janaka Chaminda and Aleem worked tirelessly from midfield to try and find an equalizer.
Their last chance came when winger Janith Piumal broke into the box but his shot cannoned off the crossbar much to the dismay of the crowd as Police just about held their nerve to secure 3 vital away points.
Full Time: Java Lane 2-3 Police SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Naveen Jude (Java Lane)
Speaking to jubilant Police SC coach Noordeen he had this to say;
“We prepared well for this game after a disappointing loss last week. We knew we had to be prepared to defend well and try to score on the counter as this is not an easy venue to play at. We would like to try and break into the Super 8s, it’s difficult, but we have some good local players who can help us achieve that goal.”
Goal Scorers
Java Lane: Naveen Jude 42’, 45+1’
Police SC: M. Sufaik 12’, Sampath Pathirana 44’, Kelvin Kanu 78’
Bookings
Yellow Cards
Police SC: Sujith Sanjeewa 18’, A. Ranish 27’, Chamika Kumara 62’, Nilatha Pathirana 80’
Java Lane: Janaka Chaminda 76’, Chamara De Silva 83’, T. Fahim 90’
Red Cards: A. Dagish (Java Lane) 80’
