Mohomed Rifnaz and Mohomed Fazal scored a brace each as Renown registered a thrilling 5-3 win against Pelicans SC away from home at St. Anne’s Ground, Kurunegala.
It was as if both defenses failed to show up for the game as attacks scored at will. Tharindu Lakmal opened the scoring for Renown in the 9th minute but not even a minute went by before Nuwan Ekanayaka equalized for the hosts.
Rifnaz made it 2-0 for the visitors in the 29th minute going into halftime.
It was a goal fest in the second half, with Fazal making it 3-1 in the 49th minute. D. Vicky reduced the two goal lead to one a minute later for the Pelicans. A tense match ensured their after with the home fans cheering on their beloved Pelicans.
But it was Fazal who silenced the home crowd with a strike in the 74th minute, and Rifnaz made it 5-2 in the 86th minute. Vicky tried to instigate a comeback with his second of the game two minutes later but Renown held on to their two goal lead until the final whistle.
All-round Solid defy Army
A well drilled Solid defense frustrated the free scoring Army and earned a valuable three points in their hunt for their first Champions League title.
Solid defense worked to a plan keeping quiet this season’s highest goal scorer Issadeen who has scored more than 25 goals. With Captain Amith Kumara and former Sri Lanka captain Suranda Bandara doing a brilliant job at center back the Solid attack posed a threat for Army, with the two Africans Shola, Afeez and new Sri Lanka squad member Gnanaruban Vinoth at the heart of it.
Shola scored the only goal of the first half with a brilliant finish in the 27th minute. With Army looking for an equalizer, Solid made it 2-0 in the 61st minute through Y.Sindujan. Army’s leftback Sajith Kumara made it 2-1 in the 77th minute setting up a thrilling final 10 minutes.
Army went in search of their second and it opened gaps in their defense. Afeez Olayemi duly accepted the chance and made it 3-1 in the 87th minute crushing any Army comeback.
Don Bosco frustrate Colombo FC; unable to deny win
Don Bosco frustrated but were unable to prevent Colombo FC’s 2-1 at the Don Bosco Grounds.
Don Bosco who in the early half of the season struggled in the bottom of the table lifted themselves up from the bottom with a string of wins and looked to derail the title bid of Colombo FC.
They managed to defy the visitors in the first half which ended 0-0. Colombo FC broke the deadlock in the 57th minute through D.Madushanka, but it the hosts who had a good game. With time running out Don Bosco pushed men forward leaving spaces behind and Bodrie Dimitri took advantage of it, making 2-0 in the 90th minute.
Java Lane wins a thriller
Mohomed Rizkhan’s two late goals helped Java Lane to come from a goal down to defeat Crystal Palace 3-2 at the Jayathilaka Stadium.
The match started off in energetic fashion with Mohomed Aleem giving Java Lane the lead in the 9th minute. However two goals within minutes of each other gave the lead to hosts, Crystal Palace.
Mohomed Shifan equalized in the 13th minute while Issac Aba made it 2-1 in the 15th minute. Both sides went into half time with the score on 2-1.
In the second half Java Lane shifted gears and it was the Manchester United trained Mohomed Rizkhan who stole the show with two wonderful goals. He made it 2-2 in the 68th minute and scored what would become the winning goal in the 85th minute.
