The Last 32 round of the Cargills Food City FA Cup kicked off during the weekend where Air Force and Navy recorded comfortable wins while Up-Country Lions were stretched to the limit by Nandimithra SC.
Navy v Super Sun
The much looked forward tie was between the two Champions League teams; Navy and Super Sun. Neither team had any competitive matches after the conclusion of the Champions League in February and it showed in the early going with both sides failing to find their rhythm.
However Navy’s passing style of play provided the edge for the hosts as they kept possession and settled down quickly. Navy tried to create gaps in the defense but the Super Sun defense kept their shape together. Just before halftime Navy created two golden chances but failed to convert ending the first half goalless.
Knowing Navy would keep possession and play a passing game; Super Sun reverted to a counter attacking game with their fast African players. It was again the Sailors who had another chance gone begging near the hour mark and it seemed luck was not on their side.
However it was an inspired substitution by Navy coach that reversed their fortunes. The hosts brought in their most experienced player, Dammika Rathnayake who added a spark to the game. Rathnayake started a brilliant move and ended up finishing it to break the dead lock in the 69th minute.
He proved his value addition to the side as Navy SC went on to score their 2nd goal four minutes later by Chathuranga Silva when the Super Sun SC defenders made a blunder in clearing the crossed ball to the box by Rathnayake. The Beruwala lads were stunned by the double blow inside five minutes and failed to recover from it as Navy ruled in Welisara 2-0.
Air Force v Olympic SC (Ampara)
Little known Olympic SC from Ampara squared off with one of the giants of Sri Lanka football, Air Force in another FA Cup last 32 match at Kelaniya Football Complex.
Olympic SC qualified as one of the two teams from Group C successfully navigating through six rounds of knockout football to earn their bout with Air Force. The lads from Ampara battled hard and held resolve till the 22nd minute where Air Force pocket rocket Kavindu Ishan broke the deadlock.
Seven minutes later Nipuna Bandara who is coming back from an injury doubled the lead only for Olympic SC to bounce back with a goal of their own, in the 31st minute scored by Mohomed Farsath. Ending the flurry of goals Ishan restored the two goal advantage in the 33rd minute and it stayed the same till halftime.
The second half was more keenly contested by Olympic SC who had a few chances and didn’t allow Air Force to score but unfortunately Mohomed Aakil’s own goal in the 78th minute made it 4-1 and put the game out of reach for the spirited lads from Ampara and ending their dream run in the FA Cup.
Up-Country Lions v Nandimithra SC
In another top flight match up Up-Country Lions faced off against Nandimithra SC at the Jayathilake Stadium where the Lions were pushed to the limit but ultimately prevailed in the penalty shootout 5-4.
At full time the scores were nill all. Up Country Lions converted 5 out of the 6 penalties with Captain Naagur Meera, Chathura Gunarathne, Abekah Aanon, Nalinda Kumara and Bernard Aponsah scoring and Mohomed Fawzan missing one. For Nandimithra Daniel Ton-Tonye, Mohomed Asmeer, Damith Weeramanthree and D.S.Hettiarachchi scored with Udaya Madushanka and Chamidu Isanka missing their penalties.
