The 2nd round of the Dialog Champions League kicked off after the international break where Sri Lanka participated in the SAFF Championships which ended in disappointment.
Ratnam and Blue Star squared off in an exhilarating encounter at the Vernon Fernando Stadium in Kaluthara. The showdown between the two famous clubs gave the spectators a memorable evening. Afeez Olayemi scored for Blue Star in the 9th minute with a wonderful strike. A.L. Tharusa equalized for Ratnam in the 39th minute. Sachintha Maduranga was sent off in the 75th minute for a second bookable foul but the ten men Ratnam held off the marauding Blue Star’s for a 1 all draw.
L. Ali scored a brace as Solid SC thrashed Police SC 3-0 at the Prison Grounds in Anuradhapura. Mohammed Najimudeen scored the opener in the 38th minute and Ali scored his first just before the half time whistle. Police played the final 30 minutes of the match with 10 men as S.N. Pathirana was sent off for a straight red card. Taking advantage of the extra man Solid SC pilled on the pressure and Ali scored his second in the 66th minute.
Saunders travelled to Matara to face the Matara City Club and displayed some quality football. Saunders won the match 2-1. Mohammed Riswan gave the lead to the visitors with a strike in the 6th minute. Veteran Isuru Perera doubled the lead less than a minute after the restart. Victor Ikenna reduced Saunders lead by half in the 58th minute and the Matara City Club threatened to make inroads into the match but the Saunders defense held firm to come away with an important victory.
The Up Country Lions defeated Kaluthara Park SC 2-1 at the Jayathilaka Stadium in Nawalapitiya. Kaluthara Park took the early lead in the 17th minute through T.D.Daniel. Patrick Wilson equalized for the Lions right on halftime with a neat finish. Both sides played almost the whole of the second half with 10 men as Lion’s Nilanda Konara and Kaluthara Park’s David Abekke were sent off. Patrick Wilson scored the winner for the Nawalapitiya side in the 73rd minute.
Negombo Youth hosted SL Air Force at the Don Bosco Grounds. The match ended in a thrilling 2 all draw. Dulaj Perera opened the scoring for Negombo Youth in the 4th minute but N.D. Bandara equalized minutes later with a fabulous strike. Ten minutes after the restart Sri Lankan midfielder Chathura Gunarathne restored the lead for Negombo Youth but a goal in the 65th minute by D.L. Gunasinghe for Air Force earned them a point each.
Java Lane and SL Navy match ended in a 1 all draw at the City Football League Grounds. After a goalless first half Navy’s Malik Migara scored 5 minutes into the second half. With less than seven minutes remaining Mohammed Yaseer equalized for Java Lane.
A goal fest was expected at the CR & FC Grounds where Colombo FC hosted the struggling Super Sun SC. Super Sun who has the worst defensive record in the tournament proved everyone wrong as they played an exceptional game and were somewhat unlucky not to come away with a win. The only goal of the match was scored by Mohammed Fayasil in the 19th minute as Colombo FC won the match 1-0.
Mohammed Fazal scored a brace as Renown ran away comfortable 3-1 winners over New Youngs SC. Mohammed Anam scored for Renown in the 20th minute. Mohammed Fazal who has been having an excellent season for club and country scored two goals in the two minutes as Renown went into half time leading 3-0. New Young’s Mohammed Mushikan scored a consolation goal in the 77th minute.
Don Bosco beat Nandimithra SC 1-0 at the Football Complex Grounds in Beddegana. It was a quiet first half as both sides struggled to assert authority into the game. N.S. Philippe scored the only goal in the 75th minute.
