Bodrie Dimitri produced an outrageous wonder strike from an impossible angle as Colombo FC defeated Solid SC 2-1 in a hotly contested Dialog Champions League encounter.
Solid SC dominated the opening half with possession and territory but was unable to find a way through the defense as Samson Awammadu’s goal against the run of play sent Colombo FC into half time with a one goal lead.
Midway through the second half Dimitri produced his stunner silencing Solid, who had started brightly after the resumption. Oluwafemi Shola scored from the penalty spot after Afis Olayemi was fouled, to inject some life into Solid but the Colombo FC defense held off the final surge.
The result means Solid SC slips further down the title race with just one win and a draw from four previous matches. Solid has had a miserable start to the second round of the Dialog Champions League while now it seems only Colombo FC has a real chance of putting some pressure on Navy SC who are leading the points table.
“This was a top of the table clash and we planned a lot for this match. We focused mainly on our defensive tactics than our offensive for this match. It worked for us.” said Colombo FC coach Mohomed Roomy.
From the opening whistle Solid dominated possession and territory but were unable to create chances. Colombo FC defense played a very compact game marking their man and not allowing the visitors to play their one-two passes, frustrating the Solid SC players.
Solid were almost awarded a penalty when Afis was bundled down on the edge of the box near the byline but after confirmation with the linesman referee awarded a free kick which the visitors wasted.
Against the run of play Colombo FC took the lead through Samson Awammadu in the 31st minute. Hosts were always playing on the counter and Dimitri weaved his way in to the penalty box going past three defenders before unselfishly laying it up for the onrushing Samson to drill it past goalkeeper Fazeel Ayurideen.
The goal settled the nerves of Colombo FC but Solid kept coming at them. Minutes before halftime Shola almost leveled when his fierce long range effort struck the cross bar. Shola picked up the ball on the left cut back in past two defenders and sent the ball from 20 yards out over out of position Mohomed Imran, but fortunately for Imran it rattled the cross bar and went out for a goal kick.
Solid started the second half the same way they opened the first and were denied by a world class save by Imran. Solid player struck a clean shot from close range which was heading in but Imran arched his body behind diving to his right and palmed the ball which was past him around the posts for a corner.
Shortly after, the crossbar came to Colombo FC’s rescue when Suranda Bandara’s looping header from a corner bounced off it for a goal kick and the goal frame made it three saves when Shola’s strike from the right struck the near post.
Solid were unfortunate and it was further compounded when Dimitri scored his stunner from near the left corner flag bewildering the opponents. Dimitri was doubled marked and had little space when he somehow managed an inch of space and sent it across the goal which the goalkeeper misjudged its trajectory came out to collect it only for the ball to float past him and sink in at the far post sending Dimitri on an emotional run.
Ten minutes before the final whistle Colombo FC defenders were sliced open from a brilliant through ball by Shola to Afis who was fouled and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Shola sent Imran the wrong way burying the ball into the net with his left foot. Solid went in search for an equalizer but the home defense put that penalty behind them to secure a valuable three points.
“We know what our players are capable of. We stressed on our defense and the boys responded really well. We had just one striker and tried to feed the ball off him and it worked. We had superior fitness levels so we were efficient in transition.” a jubilant Roomy added.
“Our defense reduced them to long shots but we had the luck on our side when the ball the struck the crossbar. Also Imran had a brilliant game. In my mind he is the number one goalkeeper in Sri Lanka.” Roomy added proudly.k6
