After a horrid first half which included a defensive error resulting in goal and a penalty miss, Renown SC orchestrated a flawless second half display to beat New Youngs SC 2-1 in the Dialog Champions League 2016 Super 8 Week 2 fixture played down at Kelaniya Football Complex.
Renown after entering the Super 8 stages unbeaten met with a shock defeat when they were humbled by E.B Channa inspired Blue Star Team while New Youngs showed their mettle against the defending champions Colombo FC, frustrating themselves to earn a well-deserved draw.
Renown SC was tipped to be the favourites but New Youngs started off brightly making use of an early free kick opportunity.
Renown worked their way back but the chance given to Rizni was wasted as the midfielder unleashed a shot with no precision.
The match became quiet and sedate after an eventful start before Hasitha Priyanara brought the match to life.
In the 15th minute, Hasitha Priyankara obliged an error in defence by scoring a glorious pile driver outside the box. The first touch completely left Hakeem all at sea as Hasitha’s effort settled into the net.
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It was all New Youngs as they ran riot inside Renown’s half. But a horror miss, an off side call and a heroic save denied them a 2-0 cushion.
Uzman injured himself in the middle of the half and he was replaced by Dhanushka Rajapaksha.
Renown was able to weather the storm as they won back possession slowly.
A steady work ended up in Renown winning a penalty when Job Michael was brought down inside the box, but he couldn’t make it count as his feeble effort was saved easily by New Youngs goalkeeper Supun Kaveesh.
Renown made a tactical change by replacing Haniffa with Mohamed Rizni who was out of position all the time. The newly approached 5-3-2 was starting to work at the end of the first half but it ended with New Youngs going into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Half Time – Renown SC 0 – 1 New Youngs SC
It didn’t take much time for Renown to settle in the second half as they started playing their usual tiki taka game.
A great opportunity arrived to level things when skipper Rifnaz fed Fazl who passed it to Job Michael, but Job Michael could only trouble the cross bar.
Photos: Renown SC v New Youngs FC | Super 8 | DCL16
Renown SC 2 : 1 New Youngs FC – Dialog Champions League 2016 – Super 8 | #Match 7
Renown made amends soon in the 52nd minute when Job Michael scored the equalizer. Haniffa’s initial attempt was blocked but the defenders could only clear as far as to Job Michael’s feet. He took his time before depositing the ball past the goalie to make it one all.
Renown SC looked so dangerous in the second half as Job’s goal reinstated enthusiasm back on the players. Few chances fell on their way but New Youngs’ goalkeeper Supun Kaveesha denied all them with heart.
Having trouble to find space, New Youngs SC tried their luck shooting from outside the box, but it wasn’t good enough to trouble the Renown defence who looked to have found their feet after a horrible first half display.
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It didn’t take Renown much time to score the second but it was an own goal from Avishka Perera which awarded Renown the lead in the 65th minute. Avishka Perera who was involved in the first goal let off with an intention of passing the ball back to goalie headed the ball into the back of his own net.
Fazul Rahman had field day as his diagonal passes were inch perfect allowing the wingers to run freely, but the deliveries could not match Fazul’s precision.
Supun Kaveesh of New Youngs SC also had a match to savour as his saves kept New Youngs in contention. He was able to frustrate Job Michael for more than one occasion which looked like certain goals.
The dying minutes saw Renown continuing their domination, not allowing New Youngs to stage a late come back.
Referee blew the final whistle as Renown SC staged a comeback and to announce their presence at the Super 8 sage of Dialog Champions League.
Full Time – Renown SC 2 – 1 New Youngs SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Supun Kaveesh (New Youngs FC)
Talking to ThePapare.com was the winning coach of Renown SC, Mohamed Amanulla;
“The players were playing after 4 months and were out of touch. We were just too slow to find the flow and they pounced on it. The hot weather was another concern for us. We came back well in the second half. We stuck to the same plan and were able to win the match”
Rohitha Fernando, Coach of New Youngs SC was happy with the performance despite the defeat;
“We came into the match with four players missing. There were inexperienced players and that was the reason for losing the match. Own goal was unexpected from the inexperienced youngsters. But the team managed to play well. We were good in the first half and had chances to double the lead but we missed. They came back in the second and won us. But the overall performance from the team was satisfying”
New Youngs SC will face Solid SC and Renown SC will face Army SC who are undefeated in the tournament so far in the week 3 of the Super 8 fixtures of Dialog Champions League 2016.
Goal Scorers
Renown SC – Job Michael 52’, Avishka Perera (own goal) 65’
New Youngs FC – Hasitha Priyankara 13’
Bookings
Yellow Cards
Renown SC – Mohamed Fazal 24’, Mohamed Rizkhan 45’
New Youngs FC – Thilanka Priyadharshana 24’, Supun Lakruwan 45’
