Colombo FC got the better of Java Lane with a 2-0 win at the City League Football Complex in a scrappy game of football, marred by inclement weather conditions, to stretch their unbeaten run to 8 games.
The top 2 teams in Group B were both in good form heading into the clash and were vying for the top spot in what was expected to be a close tussle. The game had got postponed to the 20th due to bad weather, but the continuous rain meant that play got underway on a waterlogged pitch, with conditions worsening as the game progressed, severely affecting the quality of play on the day.
Colombo FC got off to a better start with midfielder Momas Yapo having the first effort of the day smartly tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Senarath. It soon became clear that dead-balls would be the most likely source of a goal with both sets of players struggling to adapt to the conditions with possession frequently being exchanged in midfield and tackles flying in thick and fast all over the pitch.
And it was through a deadball that Colombo FC eventually took the lead in the 13th minute when Bodri Dimitri’s low delivery from a free kick near the byline caused panic in the Java Lane box, before Mohamed Ramees prodded home from 3 yards out. Java Lane improved as the half progressed with the decision to sub on experienced midfielder Madhawa Ruwansiri for the struggling Edgard Modeste, being one of the main reasons.
Chances were few and far between for both teams but towards the end of the first half Java Lane had their best chance of the half as Malaka Perera failed to direct his header from a beautifully delivered free kick by Mohammed Aleem, despite being completely unmarked at the far post.
HT Java Lane 0-1 Colombo FC
The second half saw both teams create a few more chances with Java Lane pushing more men forward in a bid to find an equalizer. Mohamed Abdullah had a great chance to pull Java Lane level but after showing great skill to get himself one on one with Imran in the Colombo FC goal, he could only prod his finish wide of the far post. Colombo FC meanwhile were wasteful at the other end with AC Frank failing to convert several opportunities to stretch the lead. They eventually went on to seal the deal in the 79th minute when Raumy Mohideen scored direct from a corner kick, curling the ball in at the far post.
That goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Java Lane team who had looked threatening for large parts of the second half and despite a late chance for youngster Naveen Jude, they failed to get anything from the game as Colombo FC held on to their lead to firmly cement their place at the top of Group B.
Man of the Match: Momas Yapo (Colombo FC)
