New Youngs FC and Super Sun SC played out a scrappy 1-1 draw in the curtain raiser of the Dialog Champions League 2018 at the Durayappah Stadium in Jaffna.
New Youngs v Super Sun in Dialog Champions League season opener
The 13th Dialog Champions League, Sri Lanka’s premier…
New Youngs kicked off proceedings amid colour and fan fair in the much-awaited league. A decent crowd as well as dignitaries were present for the opening fixture.
Early in the first half it was New Youngs who looked the dominant team with few of the national poolists among their ranks, including Duckson Piuslas – skipper for the Wennappuwa side.
Super Sun goalkeeper Janaka Kosala was put under immense pressure and looked shaky between the posts.
New Youngs capitalizing on this and struck first with a long ball into the Super Sun box which was misjudged by Kosala and B.S. Nimo lurking around chipped over him to score the first goal of the league.
Super Sun’s goal scoring opportunities were limited to free kicks. Three to be exact of which two were expertly saved by Danushka Rajapaksha and the third hitting the crossbar.
The poor ground conditions effected the players as none of the players were able to play fluently as the ball kept wobbling all over the field.
Half Time – New Youngs FC 1 – 0 Super Sun SC
The second half was somewhat subdued from start as both teams struggled. The pace of the game was pedestrian for the most part of the second half.
First real chance in the second half fell for to New Youngs when Lakshan Dananjaya asked questions of Janaka Kosala with a header cross the goal which the later palming it away. This was just minutes after New Youngs thought they had a penalty which the referee thought otherwise.
On the hour mark it was Super Sun’s turn to shout for a penalty and once again the referee waved play on much to the dissatisfaction of the travelling fans from Beruwela. The refereeing decisions were somewhat questionable for both teams as both sets of players complained.
Oluwatosin Daniel had an opportunity when he was sent through by Afis Olayemi only for Rajapaksha to deprive with a brave save under pressure.
It looked like the game was done and dusted until the 79th minute, a brilliant move by Afis Olayemi on the left flank found an unmarked Daniel inside the box to head in the equalizer out of nowhere.
Super Sun almost got the winner when in the dying stages of the game Rajapaksha was called in once again to make a save to enable New Youngs to hold on to a point.
Full Time – New Youngs FC 1 – 1 Super Sun SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Danushka Rajapaksha
Goal Scorers
New Youngs FC – B.S. Nimo 22’
Super Sun SC – Oluwatosin Daniel 78’Bookings
Yellow cards
New Youngs FC – Mohamed Fawzan
Super Sun SC – Oluwatosin Daniel
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