First half goal by Mohamed Safraz put Renown in the points table in this year’s Dialog Champions League as they defeated Nandimithra SC (CSD) at the Kelaniya Football Complex.
We are into the third week of this year’s Dialog Champions League. As teams settle down to their game and make an impression, the league is slowly but steadily becoming intense by the week. Renown SC took on Civil Security Defense SC (CSD) in their second match of the league.
CSD having played two matches prior to this against Pelicans and Police SC, grabbing full points on both occasions looked to be the team to beat in this encounter. Renown on the other hand had a bad start as they lost to Pelicans SC in their previous match.
CSD showed their confidence right from the word go, with their previous successful outings clearly helping them to boost up their self-belief in coming to the big clash against Renown.
Their opponents on the other hand looked rusty up front; they took some time to hit their strides. Renown showed aggression and intensity right throughout the match which kept CSD on their toes. Renown forwards managed to produce breakthroughs in the first few minutes but CSD were up to the challenge.
First shot on goal came from the boot of Shalinda Gayashan of CSD. Charidu Sampath together with midfielder Nalin Madusanka broke through the defense of Renown and passed the ball to Shalinda who just had the keeper standing between him and back of the net but couldn’t find the netting. He lacked power in the shot which was easily deflected off by Sathish Kumar.
CSD looked more organized in the field. Majority of the possession was taken by them even though they couldn’t find the back of the net. Nalin Madusanka played a vital role in the middle, while Chamidu Sampath kept on challenging the defenders of Renown.
The sole goal in the match came in the 36th minute. CSD captain gave away a free kick just outside the penalty box which proved to be their downfall. Free kick was taken smartly by Fazul Rahuman, who passed to ball Mohommad Humaid who chipped the ball across goal which found Mohommad Safraz who just had to the guide the ball into the netting. CSD tried to get back to the game but couldn’t find that magical finishing touch before the half time.
Second half began with CSD seeking for that equalizer. Renown even though they were leading, didn’t look to be in a defensive mode as they kept their aggressiveness right till the end. CSD were carrying on their organized play from the first half; getting their passes right and making good inroads towards the goal but failing to finish it off.
Renown were good in patches throughout the match. They looked lethal when they are on the attack but looked a bit sloppy defending.
Possession was equally shared by both teams in the second half. There were few heated arguments in the field but it was dealt with smartly by the referee. Six minutes of injury time were added in which CSD kept hunting for the equalizer but ultimately Renown resistance prevailed giving them their first win of the 2015 Dialog Champions League.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match : Mohamed Safraz
