Java Lane stun Air Force to improve chances of survival

Relegation threatened Java Lane stunned the Super 8 hopefuls Air Force with a 2-0 win at the City League Football Complex.

The hosts had to win the game to have any hopes of staying up and sprung an upset at home on visitors who had their eyes on prizes at the other end of the table.

The hosts got off to a very bright start as straight from kickoff, the likes of Yapi Yapo and Janaka Chaminda combined to release Mohamed Abdullah down the right and his cross was headed over the bar by Shabeer Razooniya at the far post to give Air Force a real scare.

It was from the right that Java Lane got the breakthrough eventually with the same combination involved yet again. This though, Abdullah’s cut back found Naveen Jude unmarked in the box and the youngster made no mistake with the finish to give Java Lane the lead in the 24th minute.

Air Force responded by dominating the possession, but for all their one touching passing, they couldn’t create many clear cut chances for their forwards. They were lucky to go into the break only a goal down as Java Lane had two great chances to double their advantage on the brink of half time.

First Yapi Yapo met a Mohamed Rizkhan corner with a powerful header, but was denied by a superb save by Ruwan Arunasiri in the Air Force goal. Immediately afterwards, Emmanuel Uchenna got a shot off on goal from the edge the area that clipped the outside of the post and went out.

Half time: Java Lane SC 1 – 0 Air Force SC

Air Force dominated much of the possession in the second half and got off to a bright start with Nipuna Bandara getting an effort on target early on. However they were unable to break down a disciplined Java Lane defense that were happy to sit back and play on the counter.

They did look dangerous on the counter with the pace of Mohamed Abdullah and Janaka Chaminda troubling the Air Force defense on numerous occasions.

Malaka Perera missed a great chance for the hosts when he was found by a Chaminda cross in the middle of the box, but the substitute could not keep his effort on target much to the relief of Arunasiri.

Java Lane doubled their advantage in the 82nd minute after Naveen Jude was brought down by goalkeeper Arunasiri in the box, conceding a penalty kick. Abdullah stepped up to the take the kick, and converted much to the delight of the Java Lane faithful.

Air Force could not reduce the deficit by full time, and will need to beat Renown to be sure of their Super 8 place. Java Lane on the other hand need Super Sun to beat Police in the final week to stay up in the top flight.

Full Time: Java Lane SC 2 – 0 Air Force SC

Speaking to Java Lane coach Jagath, he had this to say; ”We played really well today, it was just that in previous games small individual errors cost us dearly. We are a team that should have been in the Super 8s, but we’ve been without luck this season. Usually the team that is leading plays less football which is what happened today, and because we were desperate for the win there were a lot of first-time clearances that allowed Air Force more time on the ball. Hopefully Super Sun do us a favour against Police.”

ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Mohamed Abdullah (Java Lane SC)

Goal Scorers

Java Lane: Naveen Jude 24’, Mohammed Abdullah 82’

Bookings

Yellow Cards: Prabath Arunasiri (Air Force), Janaka Chaminda (Java Lane), Yapi Yapo (Java Lane)