The 2nd leg of the first semi-final of the Premier League Division II tournament between Geli Oya SC and Great Star SC ended in a 1-1 draw at Bogambara with Geli Oya booking a place in the final on aggregate (2-1).
As the 1st leg ended 1-0 in favour of Geli Oya, they came onto the 2nd leg with a goal advantage.
Great Star SC was under constant pressure through the match as they had to bridge the 1 goal gap if they were to proceed to the finals.
Even though both teams entered the game with great determination, it took some time for both teams to settle in.
Great Star SC had the first opportunity to find the back of the net with a brilliant delivery from the right wing. But the centre forward failed to capitalize on the chance and score the goal.
Miscommunication between keeper Mohammed Imram and the defenders of Great Star gifted Geli Oya with a goal off the foot of Raju Saranraj doubling the lead on aggregate.
Motivated by the goal the Geli Oya lads dominated the game from then onwards and was especially aided in doing so by their midfield players lead by Adieu Isaac.
The 3 minutes of injury time added by the referee at the end of the first half proved to be very lucky for Great SC as they finally managed to score a goal.
Anil Shantha superbly controlled the delivery from behind and made a rocket launcher of a shot from outside the penalty box as the ball shot right into the goal past the keeper.
Half time – Geli Oya SC 1 – 1 Great Star SC
With pressure increasing, Great Star SC kicked off the second half doubling their attack and constantly pushed Geli Oya SC back into their own half.
The reinforced attacks saw Great Star getting all over their opponents’ goal but missed many chances on goal especially one by James Pouldi.
With tempers rising, two Great Star players, Pasindu Vishwajith and Askar Ahamed received yellow cards within the space of 9 minutes.
Great Star missed their last chance to make a comeback when Oluwalem Oluwale’s free kick bounced off the cross bar making it evident that luck was not on their side today. Despite trying hard to score a goal, all they could manage to achieve were 3 yellow cards while the game ended with Geli Oya winning the semi-final on aggregate.
Full time – Geli Oya SC 1 – 1 Great Star SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Adieu Isaac (Geli Oya SC)
After the game the manager of Geli Oya SC, M. Fervin provided his thoughts to ThePapare.com;
‘The fact that we did not maintain the rhythm from the first half in the second half was a drawback. But adapting to the nature of the second half brought us a win today. Winning the final is our hope.’
Goal Scorers
Geli Oya SC – Raja Saranraj 22’
Great Star SC – Anil Shantha 45+2’
Bookings
Yellow cards
Great Star SC – Pasindu Vishwajith 52’, Askar Ahamed 63’, Mohammed Mafras 87’
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