Kumara Lankeshara’s wonderful volley gave giant killers, Sri Lanka Air Force their one final victim on the road to the Dialog Champions League crown as they defeated Renown SC 1-0 in a thriller, at the Vernon Fernando Stadium in Kalutara.
In the 55th minute Lankeshara volleyed home the ball into the roof of the net after the initial header from a corner kick was denied by Lorance Prince; sending the majority Air Force fans into jubilation. This is Air Force’s first ever Champions League triumph. Incidentally this is the second time these two teams have met in the final of the Champions League. In 2009 Renown secured the trophy on penalties after the match ended in a 2 -all draw.
Air Force finished fourth in Group A behind Colombo FC, Ratnam and Blue Star. They met tournament favourites and Group B leaders Army SC in the quarter finals and much to the surprise of the spectators outclassed Army 2-1 to enter the semi- final. In the semi -final they beat Solid SC 2-1, who had a brilliant record in the first round of the tournament but later lost their way and finished 3rd in Group B.
Renown started the tournament with mixed results but with Mohamed Fazal gaining red hot form they finished the group stages strongly in 2nd place in Group B. In the quarter-f inal they met the miserly Blue Star SC. Renown were given only a couple of shots on goal but Fazal’s strike sent them through to the semi-final.
The opening opportunity came to Mohamed Fazal as the Air Force player sent a lose back pass which gave Fazal the chance to go for goal, but his shoot just going past the left upright. Air Force defense looked shaky in the early going with uncertainty among the back four and goalkeeper, Ruwan Arunasiri.
This being the final both teams were conservative in their approach at the beginning and the game came alive in the 17th minute when De Silva’s header sent Fazal one on one with the keeper but Ruwan saved a certain goal with his feet. It was a chance Fazal in his form should have dispatched with.
As in the semi -final the Air Force threat came from the left wing with pocket rocket Kavidu Ishan and P.J. Chaminda creating havoc for the Renown defenders. Kavidu Ishan was instrumental in winning a few free kicks in dangerous areas but they were unable to score from them. In the 27th minute Ishan made a Messi-esque dribble from the half way line leaving behind 4-5 defenders but couldn’t get past the final defender in Mohamed Sameer. Renown then were given a corner kick and the rebound volley was saved by keeper Arunasiri. Seconds later a wonderful build up play down the right saw a volley by Kavidu Ishan just skimming the cross bar.
After the halftime break, Air Force were awarded a free kick from right of the box which was well saved by Lorance Prince. Prince, for Renown had an excellent game between the posts pulling off a number of great saves. Had it not been for Prince the score line would have been much merrier for the wingmen.
The decisive moment in the game came in the 55th minute when Air Force got a corner kick from the right. Chaminda’s corner was punched clear by Prince but only up until Lankeshara whose first time volley crashed into the net silencing the majority Renown supporters. The wingmen looked to add to their advantage creating a few chances but the Renown defense held firm.
After the goal Renown players showing some urgency attacked with purpose and Fazal who was kept quiet by the Air Force defense danced down the right and Nafeer struck a lazy shot from the cross. With five minutes of extra time added Renown put more men forward in search of an equalizer. Frantic scenes ensured in the last play of the final minute as Fazal’s cross evaded two Air Force defenders which was headed by De Silva, his strike struck the underside of the cross bar which bounced and was held by the keeper. The Renown players were adamant the ball had crossed the line but there was no call from the referee Dilan Perera.
The Golden Boot was awarded to Army’s ace striker Mohamed Issadeen who scored 23 goals in the competition and the Most Valuable Player of the Final was the goal scorer Kumara Lankeshara.
