Three first half strikes were sufficient for Cooray SC to see off a persistent SLTB SC and win their group B encounter in the 2016 Premier League Division I encounter worked off at Cooray Park.
Both teams set off on the front foot as they wanted to seize the early initiative. SLTB lacked the edge in the final third squandering numerous opportunities they created.
Cooray SC on the other hand had little opportunities as they were limited containing the SLTB midfield from playing. S.Jajeththanan wasted two precious opportunities for the home side as he blazed both his efforts over the bar.
However, against the run of play a defensive clearance from Cooray SC found the feat of their frontman M.Sakurshan who was alert to the possibility of an opening and slotted the ball past an advancing keeper in the 23rd minute.
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The SLTB players seemed to be shell-shocked with the Cooray SC strike as they gave away the ball cheaply straight after kick off; Lucky Osaignovo pounced onto the loose ball as he fed through Ollayemi Ojulape who made no mistake in sliding the ball past the goalkeeper and a sleeping defense in the 24th minute.
The visitors soon regained their concentration as they started taking control of the midfield yet couldn’t manage to find a telling touch to get back into the game. The home side was content to sit back and attack on the counter as they had a two goal cushion in their favor.
Photo Album – Cooray SC v SLTB – Premier League Div 1
Consequently in one such attack Lucky Osaignovo unleashed a looping shot which dipped into goal much to the surprise of everyone present yet it only managed to kiss the top of the bar and crept back into play; where an alert Jajeththanan yet again cashed in on a loose ball thumping the ball home to possibly put the game out of site for SLTB right on the stroke of half time.
The second half saw SLTB dominating possession with Cooray SC ‘parking the bus’ in front the persistent visiting attack. SLTB rued their lack of finishing in front of goal and precious chances passed by with the clock ticking down.
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The biggest talking point of the half came in the 65th minute as SLTB cashed in on a corner yet were denied by the linesman who raised his flag for the kick not being taken in the right position. The linesman claimed that the ball was not kept in the allocated corner ark hence rightfully disallowing the goal.
Disappointed with the result the SLTB raged to the officials which resulted in the coach and a few of the players in the bench being taken down to the book.
The game took an ugly turn there as six yellow cards were dished out to both sets of players.
The game came to a dull end as fatigued kicked in along with hefty challenges curtailing the creativity in midfield. Cooray SC should consider it a job well done as they put 3 past their opposition and managed to hold on to a precious clean sheet.
The game was over shadowed by an ugly scene off the pitch as both sets of fans had a bit of a heated moment between each other.
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Ollayemi Ojulape
