Singing Fish SC edged Police SC 4-1 on penalties to book a place in the Round of 16 of the FA Cup played down at Police Park.
Police SC came into the match full of confidence after a dominating display which saw them beating Bandarawela’s Liberty SC 9-0. Singing Fish also was not short of morale as they came after a convincing 3-0 victory over Negombo’s Jupiters SC at Duraiyappa Stadium, Jaffna.
Late goal breaks Old Mazenodian hearts
In a fiercely contested match, Civil Security SC defeated Old Mazenodians SC 3-2 in a 2016/17 FA Cup Round of 64 encounter at the De Mazenod College Grounds…
Singing Fish started the game brightly when their forward Gnanapradap tried a volley, but the Police custodian Dumith Shashika safely parried the ball away for a corner.
Police took over the control after the early scare but all the efforts from the well oiled midfield were let down by poor finishing up front and some timely saves by the goalkeeper of Singing Fish, Raj Kumar.
Half Time : Police SC 0 – 0 Singing Fish SC
It was Police SC who continued their dominance in the second half. The quick passing midfielders looked threatening to score a goal as they started to win free kicks in some dangerous positions.
Police skipper Sampath Pathirana, who had been creating a few chances, almost put his team into the lead as his canny free kick missed the target by a whisker.
The Singing Fish defence stayed calm to absorb the pressure expertly and waited for the right time to counter-attack. Their plan almost succeeded when Shanthan rattled the crossbar, from a brisk counter attack, but the ball didn’t cross the line.
St.Nicholas, Singing Fish & Brilliant move into 4th round
St.Nicholas SC, Singing Fish SC and Brilliant SC defeated Al Hira SC, Jupiters SC & Kurinjikumaran SC respectively…
Police squandered few more opportunities including one where Pathirana hitting the upright with just the keeper to beat. With full-time looming, Police SC changed their goalkeeper with penalties in mind.
Full Time : Police SC 0 – 0 Singing Fish SC
Singing Fish showed more composure in the penalties as they converted all the penalties they took. On the other hand, Police melted like an ice cream under the hot and humid weather as they missed two penalties, where Sujith Sanjeewa sent the ball flying and Sampath Pathirana hit the ball straight into the hands of the goalkeeper. Shanthan scored the winning penalty sending Singing Fish into the Round of 16.
Penalty Shootout : Police SC 1 – 4 Singing Fish SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Raj Kumar (Singing Fish SC)
Speaking to ThePapare.com was the Singing Fish coach Udayanan;
“We played the match today with two of the defenders missing but we were able to hold onto the win. The next round will be tough playing against a Champions League team(Blue Star SC). But we will be confident going into the game. With the huge crowd that will come to the Durayappah Stadium we will show our strength.”
Police SC coach Thushara Sampath spoke after the shocking defeat;
“We missed many opportunities and that is why we lost the game. It was unfortunate to lose in the penalties. Credit to the opposition, they played well as a team and we didn’t stick to our plans.”
