Renown SC weathered a late second half rally from a resurgent Super Sun SC to win 3-1 in the Dialog Champions League group stage encounter at the Kelaniya Football Complex.
Stinging from a lop-sided 3-0 loss at home, Super Sun started off brilliantly, against the much fancied Renown side, dominating the early minutes.
However as always the slow starters, Renown settled to pose threats themselves with Mohamed Fazal trying to chip over Mohamed Nishad, who did well to stand tall and save.
During the build-up Super Sun skipper Hafeel Rauf got injured and he was replaced by Farood Faiz who was on loan from Renown.
There on, Nuwan Priyankara intercepted a Fazul Rahuman pass to sprint forward and sent the ball across the goal beating the goalkeeper Mohamed Uzman but a last ditch tackle from Hakeem Kamil saved a certain goal from Teo Daniel.
Fazal was a lively figure creating chances at will but luck was not on his side as he hit the crossbar once from range and Job Michael finding the side netting from his through ball.
However, Fazal was the creator for the first goal as he skipped into the box and squared off Mohamed Rifnaz, who was all alone in front, for an easy tap-in and give the lead.
Photo Album – Renown SC v Super Sun SC | Group Stage | DCL 16
Once again Fazal was in the thick of things as he forced the goalkeeper into a partial save but no one was there to slot in the rebound while a Rifnaz volley was saved in the corner.
In the 43rd minute Renown made it 2-0 as the new man Afam Akram opened his goal count for Renown with a wonderful finish.
Half time: Renown SC 2 – 0 Super Sun SC
The second half started with another forced injury substitution for Super Sun as Nishad was replaced by Mohamed Harfan.
Harfan was straight away called into action when he tipped over an Akram angled shot and saved fierce Michael effort from a one on one chance.
A Renown counter attack saw Job Michael beating the keeper but Mohamed Humaid, who replaced Fazal could only strike the near upright.
Renown were shocked after missing a few chances, when Shafraz Kaiz reacted fastest to a Uzman partial clearance to score the Super Sun goal in the 83rd minute.
It set up an interesting last few minutes but Job Michael put the game to rest 6 minutes later finishing off a swift move.
Dimuthu Priyadarshana raced forward from deep in his own half and passed to Rifnaz who in turn gave it to Michael, who made a lovely turn to beat his man and finish with composure.
Full time: Renown SC 3 – 1 Super Sun SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Afam Akram (Renown SC)
Speaking to ThePapare.com after the match Super Sun coach Mohamed Imran had this to say;
“I try each and every match to improve with the team. We have improved a lot and we’ll continue to improve. Small, small mistakes to rectify but after we scored I thought we had the chance to score again but disappointed to see we let them score again.”
Goal Scorers
Renown SC – Mohamed Rifnaz 29’, Afam Akram 43’, Job Michael 86’
Super Sun SC – Shafraz Kaiz 83’Bookings
Renown SC – Fazul Rahuman
Super Sun – Mohamed Fayasil, Nuwan PriyankaraSubstitutions
Renown SC – Mohamed Fazal (out) Mohamed Humaid (in), Falul Rahuman (out) Shamil Ahamed (in)
Super Sun SC – Hafeel Rauf (out) Farood Faiz (in), Mohamed Nishad (out) Mohamed Harfan (in)
