Renown SC scored three goals in the last seven minutes to stage a remarkable comeback 3-1 win against Java Lane in the City FL President’s Trophy league match, at Kew Points road.
With six minutes to go in the match, Java Lane looked to be heading for a 1-0 win against Renown who had shown little threat of getting a goal. Six minutes and a few injury minutes later Renown had turned the game upside down to win 3-1, in front of a stunned home crowd.
With Renown losing their first match and Java Lane getting a draw in theirs, both sides needed a win to boost their chances of getting into the final against Colombo FC, in the City FL President’s Trophy.
It was an uneventful first 10 minutes with both sides scrambling for dominance in midfield, which Renown looked to have got with the slick passing. Java Lane resorted to counter- attacking play which they excel at, and they created a few chances.
Yapi Yako headed the ball over the crossbar from a corner while Mohamed Uzman needed a brilliant save from a Rizkhan Faizer effort to keep Java Lane at bay. It was all Java Lane as Uzman was once again needed to make a save while a Janaka Chaminda shot was blocked and Francis Agbeti once again denied Chaminda with an excellent tackle inside the box.
Java Lane was not to be denied with four minutes to go to halftime. They got a free-kick on the left which Faizer whipped in with pace which eluded the jumping Uzman and curled into the net at the far post, gicing the former Java Lane skipper a magical goal at home.
Soon after halftime Faizer tried to do the same but this time Uzman was up to the task. As the game progressed in the 2nd half, Renown looked threatening with Dammika Senerath needing a fine save, going one on one against Job Michael. Senerath was called into action once again to deny Fazal Mohamed, with an outstretched diving save at the top right corner.
Renown brought in Mohamed Humaid for the final 10 minutes and it immediately gave dividends when his slippery move fooled centre-back Fahim Nizamdeen into committing a foul and a penalty. Fazal sent Senerath the wrong way to equalize.
With momentum on their side Renown pushed on for the lead and with a minute remaining in normal time, Fazal tried to chip the ball over from a counter-attack which was partially saved and the rebound too from Michael blocked from point blank range by Senerath but was helpless as Mohamed Rifnaz poked home the ball.
Two minute later they doubled the lead with Senerath making an error and Rifnaz taking maximum advantage to complete his brace, silencing the vociferous home crowd.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Mohamed Rifnaz
