Subash Madushan scored with minutes left as Navy SC avenged the group stage defeat with a 2-1 win over a vastly improved Java Lane outfit at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Photo Album – Navy SC v Java Lane SC – Dialog Champions League 2015 (Super 8)
It was Krishantha Perera who opened the scoring for Navy in the 25th minute but Java Lane skipper Rizkhan Faizer equalized with a brilliant individual effort in the 57th minute. Navy as they did against Air Force a week earlier managed to get the vital winner in the last ten minutes pouncing on a mistake by goalkeeper Dammika Senarath.
Before Perera scored it needed two world class saves from both goalkeepers; Dammika Senarath and Udayanga Reginold to keep the scoreboard goalless. Firstly it was Reginold who twice flapped away the ball on the line from a Rizkhan header inside the six yard box after Mohamed Abdullah’s effort took a deflection towards the far post.
Senarath was called into action when a slick move by Navy let Mohamed Insaff through on goal only to see his effort over the goalkeeper saved brilliantly for a corner.
Perera’s goal came from an innocuous cross which drifted over and behind Senarath, crashing on the base of the far post to stun the Java Lane fans. The ball from a throw-in was laid off by David Osagie on the right for Perera whose intended cross into the box resulted in the opener.
The addition of Madawa Ruwansiri at the defensive midfield position added extra cover for the Java Lane backline which had conceded eight goals in their two Super 8 encounters. Java Lane looked a different side even after the unfortunate goal, defending in numbers and attacking on the counter.
Java Lane came into the second half with renewed energy as they stuck to their tasks frustrating Navy and not allowing shots on goal. The Slave Island boys were rewarded for their good work but Afam Akram failed to capitalize with only the keeper to beat. Abdullah sent free Akram into the box but he shot a weak effort straight at Reginold.
Minutes later the Java Lane skipper showed the Sri Lanka U19 cap how it is done with a brilliant goal. Java Lane pressing high up dispossessed Navy as Faizer latched on to the ball connecting a powerful left footed effort past Reginold to the far post.
Chalana Chameera missed an equally brilliant goal when he volleyed an Osagie cross but missed the far post by mere inches. However Navy did find the winner when Senarath spilled an effort from Chameera from a shot corner and Christeen Fernando cutback towards Madushan who side footed past the scrambling defense.
Java Lane almost earned a point in the dying stages when Afam Akram looped a ball over but Reginold managed to get it to the crossbar.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Christeen Fernando
What they had to say;
Navy coach Dammika Athukorale;
“We came in with a good morale after our win against Air Force but the first half we played the way they wanted and it costed us. After they scored the equalizer we played our normal game but compared to the Air Force match performance was somewhat less. Reginold has taken his opportunity and has played well in the last three matches.”
Java Lane Captain Rizkhan Faizer;
“Even though we lost happy with our performance because weren’t good in the first two matches. We worked hard during the week to rectify our mistakes, though a mistake gave away the goal. We are now pumped up for the match against Colombo FC and will give the fans an entertaining match.”
