Renown SC staged a remarkable comeback after going down 2-0 in the first half but had to settle for a draw as the match ended 3-3 against reigning Dialog Champions League winners Solid SC, at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
The reigning champions have not found their form this season and are struggling to get into the top four due to transfers and injuries. They have only won two matches from the five matches while Renown are primed to earn a top four spot barring any hick-ups.
Solid got off to the perfect start to revive their campaign as they got off to 2-0 lead through a perfect free-kick from Oluwafemi Shola and a cool finish by Afis Olayemi. However Renown came back with venom as Emmanuel Ojinkeya scored the first and Mohamed Rifnaz equalized and took the lead straight from the re-start when Ojinkeya pounced on a defensive mistake.
The hosts, Renown failed to make an initial impression in the late kick-off as Solid took control of the match, keeping possession and frustrating Renown. Solid got the opener in the 15th minute when Shola curled in a free-kick past Sathish Kumar. Mohamed Rifkhan handled the ball from an Olayemi cross, just outside the penalty box in front of the box and Shola curled it around a six man wall to the far top corner, which even he couldn’t believe.
Five minutes later Olayemi doubled the lead when he took advantage of a misjudgment by Sathish Kumar. Shola sent a ball over the defense for Olayemi to run on to while Kumar came rushing out of his box but was unable to clear leaving Olayemi an open goal to aim to.
There on in Solid took the foot off the pedal which gave Renown the opportunity to come back into the match. Fazul Rahuman sent a ball over the defense where Ojinkeya powered home from close range past the on rushing goalkeeper, Dilshan Tharinda.
Galvanized by the goal, Renown upped the game creating chances of which Ojinkeya missed two chances. However five minutes from halftime, they go the equalizer when Ojinkeya laid off for Rifnaz to tap in from two yards out. Fazal Mohamed sent the ball to Ojinkeya who shrugged off the defender to set it up for Rifnaz.
Straight from the restart Renown took the lead stunning Solid SC. From the restart Solid sent the ball to the defense where captain Tharindu Liyanage got the ball stuck under his foot and Ojinkeya took advantage to send a low ball past Dilshan.
In the second half Renown continued the momentum but were unable to capitalize on the chances with the comeback hero Ojinkeya being the culprit. Solid SC got the opportunity to equalize when Olayemi was brought down by Francis inside the box. Sathish Kumar expertly saved the Shola penalty but Shola pounced on the rebound to make it 3-3.
For the rest of the match the heaven opened up making it difficult for play and turning down the intensity as the match ended in a draw.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Afis Olayemi
