Red Stars register famous win against Saunders

Dialog Champions League 2018

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Saunders SC v Red Stars FC - Week 4 - Dialog Champions League 2018

Ismail Abumere inspired Red Stars FC to a famous 2-1 win against Saunders SC in the Dialog Champions League 2018, week 4 match played at Kew Points Road.

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Saunders started the game in 16th position in the league table with Kasun Jayasuriya coming out of retirement. Red Stars on the other hand started the game in 10th position. Saunders have only played 4 games thus far as their fixtures were postponed due to their engagement in the recently concluded FA Cup.

The first 5 minutes of the game saw the Red Stars absorbing all the pressure from Saunders. However, it was Ismail Abumere who got the first chance as he dodged one defender and had a clear shot on goal; he only managed to drag his shot wide.

Idowu Hameed was the next for Red Stars to miss a clear chance as he tried to lob over the advancing Asanka Viraj in the Saunders goal after a fluent move between Abumere. Red Stars were the better team apart from the first 5 minutes and kept on peppering the Saunders goal with not much luck. Their midfielders were also far superior to Saunders.

20 minutes down, Saunders got the first glimpse at goal with a volley effort from Indreewa Udara after some build up play between Kasun Jayasuriya and Daniel Richi.

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Abumere once again let Saunders off the hook when he was through on goal from a brilliant pass from midfield but with only the keeper to beat, he dragged his shot to the left.

After missing several chances Abumere finally broke the deadlock in the 34th minute. A nice touch pass sending him through to the 18-yard box from the right wing saw him have a simple pass through to the goal to beat Asanka Viraj.

Asanka Viraj kept Saunders in the game with a series of saves off Abumere and his strike force up until Mohamed Ramees sent in a beautiful curler which beat Viraj all ends up.

Half Time – Saunders SC 0 – 2 Red Stars FC

Red Stars started the second half where they left the first with much fluency and asking questions of the Saunders defense. The front three were a constant threat to the slow sluggish Sanoj Sameera and Chanuka Eranga.

Photos :  Saunders SC v Red Stars FC | Week 4 | Dialog Champions League 2018

Against the run of play in the 55th minute Kasun Jayasuriya missed a header right in front of goal which went over the cross bar. On the hour mark Jayasuriya got on the end of a free kick from Chryshantha Abeysekara which bounced off a defender to pull one back for Saunders from close range.

From that goal on, Saunders were the better team and Red Stars were pegged back with constant long balls from the defense to the wings. Red Stars were guilty of too many infringements near their own penalty box.

5 minutes to stoppage time, J.A. Dilukshan was brought down inside the Saunders box. Referee waved play on what was a clear penalty as he was clear on goal beating the defender and was pushed from the back.

Full Time – Saunders SC 1 – 2 Red Stars FC

ThePapare.com Player of the Match – Ismail Abumere (Red Stars FC)

Goal Scorers
Saunders SC – Kasun Jayasuriya 61’
Red Stars FC – Ismail Abumere 34’, Mohamed Ramees 38’

Bookings
Yellow Cards
Saunders SC – Isuru Perera 25’
Red Stars FC – Mohamed Ali Hassan 60’

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