Confused defense line of Kalutara Park helped Negombo Youth to take over the game easily with 2 goals to nil.
Losing the main defenders due to injuries and cautions became a huge disadvantage to the lads from Kalutara. If not for skipper and goal keeper Sujan Perera who made few unbelievable saves, Negombo Youth would have scored more goals. Tharindu Madhushan played as a center back in his first match after recovering from an ankle injury along with star player Sanjula Thilan. Both defenders lacked experience in defending causing the loss for Kalutara Park.
As usual Negombo Youth took the maximum out of their wingers to make the game much easier. Striker Pradeep Fernando scored the opening goal for Negombo Youth followed by Kamal Silva scoring the second goal. Overseas striker Zhilih Robert could not put up a great show and was substituted before the short whistle. Skipper Dulaj Peiris and Kumara were outstanding with their performance in the defense line.
Though Sanjula and Tharindu did not have experience in defense they made sure their game was perfect. They held the opponents without giving a single shot towards the goal post. Pradeep Fernando disappointed the Kalutara Park boys with the opening goal in the 16th minute. Midfielder Tharusha’s through pass which went between the defenders and collected by the striker who had no second thoughts in shooting the ball to the nets.
Kalutara Parks attacking midfielder Sikiru Babalola made few shots on top of the penalty box which were off target. Chrisantha Abeysekara the veteran striker could not fit into his fellow striker Oladele Monday’s game, as they did not have a mutual understanding between themselves. Right winger Emmanuel Phillippe was perfect with his crosses though none of the strikers were there to put the ball into the post.
Referee Hiran Udayakantha called for the short whistle.
Beginning with the second half Kalutara Park played as if they had lost the hope of the game. Careless mistakes and missed passes took place during attacking while defending was upto the expected level. Center Sandaruwan Perera’s tackle made the referee to award a penalty to Negombo Youth in the 55th minute. Left winger Kamal added the next goal on the score board without any hesitation. Disappointed Kalutara Park tried their level best to score at least a single goal.
Self-centered Oladale refused to share some of the goal scoring opportunities with the other team mates. Kalutara Park’s game changed as most of the players played the way they want. An easy chance was missed by Chrisantha Abeysekara when he faced the goal keeper one on one and failed to kick the ball into the post at the latter part of the game.
