Saunders SC came back into form against Nandimithra SC in a goalfest at Kelaniya Football Complex winning the match with a commanding 5-0 score line.
Leading up to the match Saunders had not won a match nor had they scored a goal in five Dialog Champions League matches this season and were languishing in the bottom half of group A while Nandimithra had won two from four matches.
Both teams still struggling to find consistency this season made this match a crucial battle in Group A. Nandimithra were the better side on the books but Saunders is one of the strongest sides in the island.
Both teams took time to settle down their nerves but Saunders looked more determined from the beginning. First half possession was undoubtedly dominated by Saunders as they kept on making chances from the word go.
They opened their account through a penalty. Nandimithra skipper Sudarshana Ramanayake missed the tackle and conceded a penalty in the 26th minute. Sajith Dharmapala made sure the ball meets the back of the net and put his team in front.
The three goals in the first half came in a flurry for Saunders. Nandimithra loosing concentration towards the latter part of the first half gave Saunders enough time to get far ahead in the game.
Their second goal came through a good passage of play by the forwards and little help from the defenders of Nandimithra. Suresh Kumara missing the clearance led to their downfall. Chryshantha Abeysekara got to the loose ball and crossed it towards Dilan De Silva who fired the ball to the top far corner of the goal. Saunders knew they got the game in their hands.
Nandimithra had a disastrous day in the field, failing to have shot on target during the first half which was alarming considering their previous performances. Saunders scored their third goal by a misjudgment from Nandimithra goalkeeper. Chryshantha taking the free kick near the corner flag which was directed towards the goal and Pradeep Prasanna failed to read the high ball helping Dilan De Silva to chip the ball in to score his second goal for the match. That goal itself summed up Nandimithra’s performance in this match, lack of concentration leading them to their downfall.
Halftime: Saunders SC 3 – Nandimithra SC 0
Nandimthra started off in the second half with a mountain to climb. Comparatively they looked more organized in the second half but Saunders were on song right throughout. Few minutes into the second half Chryshantha came close to score his first goal of the match. Dilan De Silva too had his chances in scoring a hat-trick but failed to find the back of the net.
16 minutes into the second half Chryshantha finally found his first goal from a well taken free kick just outside the box. It should have been saved but Prasanna again failed to read the trajectory of the ball properly.
Nandmithra had their first shot on target when Udaya Madusanka chipped the ball towards the penalty box which was well controlled by Charidu Sampath whose shot was not powerful enough to go past the goalkeeper. Charidu Sampath and Udaya Madushanka tried their level best to get their scoreboard ticking but their teammates let them down leaving them hopeless in the field. Prasanna too made some good saves towards the latter part of the second half which prevented Saunders in scoring more goals.
Saunders scored their final goal through a corner in the 78th minute. Dilan De Silva sending the ball right across the goal which was headed in by Isuru Perera to put his team five goals to nil. Saunders dominated the match from the word go right till the very end.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Dilan De Silva (Saunders SC)
Saunders skipper speaking to ThePapare.com, “I’m really happy and proud of my team. We couldn’t perform up to our standards during the previous games. But with the help of former senior players and the crowd support we trained hard and were ready to face today’s challenge. This win gave us a lot of confidence and hope in making it to the super 8.”
