Rizkhan Faizer scored a brilliant volley but was denied a couple more as the Slave Island lads once again played spoilsport to another championship hunting club, Navy SC to draw 1-1 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Rizkhan took advantage of a misplaced clearance to volley home but missed a couple- one of which a header going just over and other was denied by a brilliant save from Ajith Kumara before Chalana Chameera equalized. Navy dominated the second half having a host of chances but lacked the finish to get them the three points.
Java Lane Assistant Coach George Augustin was in buoyant mood after his young, inexperienced side earned a point against Air Force last week and hoped to do one better this time around.
“Team is balanced today. Zarwan, Dhammika Senerath and captain Tuan Fahim are back. Think we can something out of this like the Air Force match. Navy is the one of the strongest teams this season. We are playing a attacking 4-3-3 formation because we need the win to join the super eight.” He added.
While Navy coach Balendra Anthony also stressed on the importance of the win in this business stage of the championship.
“Have confidence we’ll get the three points. We won against Matara City last week after losing to Blue Star, which was good for the morale. Our bench is strong and will be playing the customary 4-4-2 formation.”
Navy settled in to their passing game and concentrated on possession early on while Java Lane looked to catch them napping on the counter attack. Navy got the first opportunity from a cross which evaded the defense and fell to Dammika Rathnayaka at the far post whose volley was cleared of the line by Fahim.
It took a brilliant volley from Rizkhan in the 10th minute to give Java Lane the lead when Subash Madushan’s misplaced clearance fell to him, and he controlled the ball rocketing it to the back of the net.
On the other end Sri Lanka Captain Chathuranga Sanjeewa almost had a way through for Navy when he from an acute angle fired past Senerath but straight at the near post which went off for a goal kick.
Navy did not have to wait long for the equalizer as Chalana Chameera headed home unmarked from a cross by Sanjeewa in the 20th minute. Minutes later the sailors almost took the lead when Nalaka Roshan’s vision picked out Chathuranga Silva’s run from the deep but Silva shot straight at the keeper.
It was an exhilarating opening half with Abdullah Najibdeen went through burning some pace from a missed pass but Sumudu Malaka Perera was unable to guide his cross into the net from six yards out. It was a chance the striker should have buried from that distance.
The second half was lively as the first with Java Lane trying to take advantage of Navy’s scrappy play. With the weather getting gloomy and cold Navy kept knocking on the Java Lane goal but couldn’t find a way through.
Goal scorer Rizkhan was subbed off but Java Lane had a chance to make it 2-0 but Abdullah fired wide under pressure after Dagish picked him out from an exquisite diagonal ball. Another chance came their way as Ajith Kumara came a long way off his line to clear a ball but only until substitute Afam Akram who tried a 30 yard shot from a difficult angle with the goalkeeper nowhere in sight but his effort went just wide.
Mohomed Insaf who replaced Chalana Chameera had his low effort saved by Senerath’s feet with minutes left in the game and another shot went inches wide past the diving keeper.
“There is no medicine if you don’t finish it no matter how much possession you have. I am disappointed. We’ve been losing points in the last few games, 4 from a possible 12. Really concerned with this trend. We are going for the kill and if these things happen we won’t win. I have told them to man up. Every time we cannot say bad luck. It has to come from the players. Two strikers has to take their first chances, mistake is that they are going for the perfect goal, second chance. A goal is a goal whether it is a perfect or fluke.” A bitterly disaapointed Balendra Anthony told ThePapare.com after the match.
It was same for Augustin but was happy that they could earn a point against Navy.
“We had chances. Rizkhan had 2-3 chances but completed one. Not happy because we need the wins for the super eight. But all in all against Navy drawing this is good. Not enough energy at the end too.” He mentioned.
