Police SC was at the receiving end of a 2 goal beating by Navy SC, as the latter outgunned and outclassed them in all departments in the Women’s Division 1 Club Championships held at the Police Ground.

Police coming off the back foot after the thumping defeat from Army seemed to be determined to overcome their navy counterparts, however, Navy are not one team to be written off.

Navy was first to knock on the doors through a corner taken by Maduki Perera that set Leelanthi Daniel to put in one header towards the net, but to her disbelief was somehow scuffed away to safety by keeper.

Navy utilised the weak left flank of Police to propel their forwards with Thushani Madushika of Army peeling away from the Police defence with pace and skill, further asking questions about the positioning of Radihika Karunarathne on the left for Police.

Police did, however, try to make some ground through hard fought set pieces, but most of them lacked accuracy to find the feet of Lakshani Anuruddhika to trouble the defence.

However, Navy could not break the deadlock with the lion share of possession as the Police back four were able to cancel out the final balls of Thushani to Maduki and Niluka Aluthge, with captain, Chathurika Madushani and M. Jayasuriya taking charge in the defence department.

Furthermore, with Police on the back foot, Navy stacked up on corners that allowed for Maduki to lift the ball into the box, however, none of them were enticing enough for an on rushing teammate to head one into the back of the net.

After a lengthy time in the Police half, Navy finally broke the deadlock after a scrappy clearance by Police which led to an open Thushani collect the free ball to let one loose right at the edge of the box which took a deflection along the way, wrong footing the keeper to go in for goal.

The half ended in Navy gaining the upper hand over Police; however, with the lion share of possession, they possessed the potential to better their current predicament.

Half Time – Police SC 0 – 1  Navy SC

The second half of the match started the same as the first with Navy taking charge in attack with Leelanthi, Maduki, and Thushani. However, the Police back line remained stubborn to give their Navy counterparts clear cut chances.

Navy almost increased their lead in the opening minutes with a driving run by Leelanthi on the right side which led to a cross that found an onrushing Rushani Gunawardene take her chance on goal, but it was quickly parried away by the keeper and cleared away to safety.

Navy continued to dominate possession in the opponent’s half creating chance after chance; however, Police did not budge from their defensive formation.  

Navy went on to the get the second goal in the latter part of the second half through a set piece taken at the edge of the box by Harshani Fernando that was hit straight to the keeper, but unfortunately rebounded to Dinusha Priyangani to slot in a point blank effort.

With that second goal, the chance for Police SC to even salvage a goal was bleak as the side seemed to be consumed by fatigue, and this was sealed when the official blew the whistle for full time.

Full Time – Police SC 0 – 2 Navy SC

ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Thushani Madushika (Navy SC)

Goal Scorers

Navy SC – Thushani Madushika 42’, Chithrani Sarukkali 80’

Bookings

Yellow  Cards

Navy SC – Harshani Fernando 45+2’