Mohamed Rifnaz scored in the 5th and final minute of injury time to give Sri Lanka an unexpected win the opening match of the SAFF Suzuki Cup in Trivandrum, India.
Sri Lanka were the second best team for the 90 minutes, especially in the first half where they were woeful, unable to get hold of the ball but a collective defensive effort together with brilliant goalkeeping by Sujan Perera kept the game goalless.
Sri Lanka was a much improved side in the second half creating a couple of chances, most notably by Zarwan Johar while the inclusion of former captain Chathuranga Sanjeewa added much needed energy to the side.
With minutes remaining coach Sampath Perera introduced Mohamed Issadeen whose cross in the dying stages created havoc inside the Nepal penalty box and Rifnaz added the finishing touch much to the ecstasy of the Sri Lanka contingent.
Sri Lanka came into the match with more stress on the defense and had makeshift defenders in Sajith Kumara and Chalana Chameera. Chalana Chameera who in the domestic league plays at left-midfield was playing at right back and Sajith Kumara a center-forward was at left-back though he started off his career at the latter position.
The Lions were denied possession in the early minutes as they chased shadows which were the norm in the first half. In the 11th minute a well placed cross from the right by Bimal Magar found an unmarked Rohit Chand but his powerful header was brilliantly punched away for a corner by Sujan Perera.
Hakeem Kamil got the first yellow card of the tournament and the resulting free-kick was punched away but the rebound from Anjan went wide.
Sri Lanka’s defending looked sloppy down the two wings with their makeshift defenders, most notably Chalana Chameera who often found himself tracking back from advance positions and never settled down in the first half.
Nepal started off the second half positively creating a couple of chances, rare moments where they ventured into the Sri Lanka penalty box, but the forwards were not able to finish the moves.
Nepal was reduced to shooting from distance as Sri Lanka consolidated the left back position by bringing on a specialist in Subash Madushan.
Nepal coach Aussems decided to replace Gurung and bring on Nawayug Shreshta not long after the restart. The young star tried his best to help his team take the lead but the Sri Lankan defence stood firm. The introduction of Jagajeet Shreshta later on in the match did little to change the story of the game.
On the hour mark Nepal got another free-kick and the delivery towards the far post again found an unmarked Nepal player, this time Rohit but he too could not direct the ball towards goal.
Sri Lanka’s best chance came in the 70th minute when Zarwan Johar shot straight at goal from a 25 yard free-kick but the goalkeeper tracking back did exceptionally well to deny the ball crashing into the net at the near post.
With minutes remaining Sampath Perera introduced Mohamed Issadeen and he was the architect of the match winner. Rifnaz started off the move feeding Issadeen on the right and his first time cross was chested down by Biraj but Madushan De Silva intercepted but his shot was deflected into the path of Rifnaz who finished off from close range.
The late goal was enough to give Sri Lanka a big win over Nepal in the opening match of SAFF Suzuki Cup.
Nepal now has to secure a win against hosts India if they are to have any chance of getting through to the knockout stage.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Sujan Perera
