Air Force register comfortable 4-1 win over Navy

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  • Navy SC vs Air Force SC - DCL Stage 7 - Navy Ground Welisara - 31/07/2016 - Air Force's Kavindu Ishan in action

Air Force conceded a goal early on but recovered well to cruise through to a comfortable 4-1 win over Navy in their Dialog Champions League Group B clash played at the Welisara Navy Grounds.

Both teams went into the game on 10 points each and needed a win to boost their hopes of making the Super 8s.

It was Navy who got off to a bright start, with skipper Krishantha Perera getting past Air Force keeper Ruwan Arunasiri early on but couldn’t direct his effort goalwards with the defense rushing back to protect the goal.

It was the skipper who opened the scoring in the 5th minute for Navy soon after the initial chance, as a long ball over the top found the forward in space upfront and he made no mistake with the finish.

Air Force struck back quickly in the 8th minute though as some great work from Kavindu Ishan down the left saw him cross the ball for Nipuna Bandara to tap home the equalizer from point blank range.

Navy then had an opportunity to retake the lead but Pradeep Perera could not convert Dammika Ratnayake’s well measured through ball on the counter.

Air Force were the livelier of the two teams throughout the first half, looking confident in possession and their pressure paid off when they took lead through an own goal from Chameera Krishantha. The defender rushing back to prevent Nipuna Bandara getting a shot off on goal, miscued his clearance, leaving the keeper no chance to make a save.

Half time – Navy SC 1 – 2 Air Force SC

In the second half Navy came out all guns blazing to level things up but were left exposed on the counter as the Air Force defense negotiated their attacks very well.

Kavindu Ishan was a real livewire for Air Force as the forward forced goalkeeper, Gnanaratne Fernando into a good save early on, before scoring a goal of his own after being played through on goal by Kalum Perera.

Kalum Perera then hit the crossbar off a header from a Kavindu Ishan cross as Air Force continued to look dangerous in an attempt to extend their lead.

Kalum got the goal he was looking for when he converted a Nipuna Bandara cross to put Air Force in cruise control of a match that was expected to be a close encounter.

Navy for all their possession, failed to create many chances for the likes of Krishantha Perera and Nirmal Wijetunga, as more often than not the high pressing game of Air Force forced them into square or backward passes.

Both teams will play table-toppers Renown over the next week and as things stand after today’s result, it appears that the Airmen have a clear advantage over the Sailors as it looks like just one of these two teams will make the final cut for the Super 8s.

Full Time – Navy SC 1 – 4 Air Force SC

ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Kavindu Ishan (Air Force SC)

Speaking to Sampath Perera coach of Air Force he had this to say;

“We consider all games as important games, but given that both teams had equal points coming into this clash it was of added importance as there was a clear advantage to be had with regard to Super 8 qualification. We conceded an early goal due a lack of communication, but I believed once we settled into the game we could come back into the game and credit must go to the players for the way they performed. We can decide whether to rest players or further develop combinations for the Renown game based on how our midweek game goes.“

Goal Scorers
Navy SC – Krishantha Perera 5’
Air Force SC – Nipuna Bandara 8’, Chameera Krishantha (OG) 43’, Kavindu Ishan 61’, Kalum Perera 79’

Bookings
Yellow Cards: Chathuranga Silva (Navy), Chalana Chameera (Navy), Dhammika Ratnayake (Navy), Rohan Fernando (Air Force), Nirmal Wijetunga (Navy)