Shorthanded Java Lane fielding six rookies produced a spirited effort to draw the match 0-0 against the much experienced Air Force side.
Java Lane were without seven of their regulars who were serving suspensions after the ugly scenes that happened at the City Football League Complex, which left Madawa Ruwansiri and Mohomed Aleem banned for a year while Maxi Lettren and Mohomed Ismirly were suspended for three matches.
Speaking to ThePapare.com Java Lane coach Augustin George was optimistic about their chances and hoped the rookies who were thrown into the deep end of national football will come out good.
“We have seven of our experienced and talented players suspended. A dark day for Java Lane. I’m forced to field a very young team with our captain for today Rizkhan Faizer is only 20 years and the youngest is 17. I have given them the instructions we’ll see how it goes.” He added.
Java Lane knew they would be in for a long hard evening from the opening whistle and it was no surprise when Air Force dominated possession and territory throughout the game.
Returning goalkeeper Dammika Senerath was called into action early on as Air Force showing their long passing range found a way through but the effort was saved at the near post. Java Lane players were hounded by the enormous task at hand but quickly adapted to the situation and kept their shape even though they struggled at times.
Even with the possession Air Force found little opportunity to pierce the well drilled Java Lane defense and in one such occasion when they did found a way through Kumara Lankeshwara’s header bounced off the crossbar and out of harm’s way.
Java Lane got one corner in the first half after an intelligent play by Rizkhan, and his curling ball almost crept at the far post before Air Force goalkeeper palmed it away.
It was more of the same in the second half even though the Slave Island outfit started off in energetic fashion Air Force quickly took control once again. Captain Janaka Chaminda delivered a couple of inviting free kicks but no Air Force player could get on the end of the ball.
Chaminda and Kavindu Ishan linked up on the left sending Chaminda through who crossed in for Kalum Perera but he fired wide from close range. Frustrated Air Force players took shots from outside the box which were well off target. Another Chaminda free kick was headed wide by Lankeshwara and it was Lankeshwara again who shot wide from the edge of the box.
One for the future, 17 year old Peterite, Afam Akram showed his raw pace when he put the ball in front of him and ran at the Air Force defense but his marauding run was cut short by Air Force keeper who hacked it away.
Dammika Senerath was forced into a double save; the first from a Kavindu Ishan left footed effort and the rebound of Chaminda which went straight at him. With seconds left Java Lane had the chance of the match when they found Air Force wanting on the counter attack, in a two on one situation but Rizkhan’s through ball was a bit too much for Sumudu as the keeper came out and cleared.
At the final whistle ecstatic Java Lane fans and players celebrated as this single point was more like three points for them given the limited personnel they had.
“Plan worked 100%. Very young 6-7 players played between 17 and 20. Proud of them. They’ll get promoted in the future. Next match they’ll get the chance. Right wing, Fawaz played well. I didn’t think but they all played brilliantly against this experienced air force team. No mistakes. Had one chance in the end but even this one point is huge for us.” Jubilant Augustin George told ThePapare.com
“We didn’t have the finishing. Playing and positioning was good but finishing wasn’t there. That’s what frustrates me. My injured strikers Nipuna and Duminda will have a medical test on Monday, so hopefully they’ll be ok for the next match.” A frustrated Air Force coach Tuwan Rahim mentioned.
