Mohamed Abdullah’s double proved in vain as Super Sun’s second half turn around earned an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Abdullah netted a ball from Zarwan Johar and doubled the lead through superb solo work before halftime. However Nuwan Priyankara’s and Graham Ebernizer’s headers completely changed the course of the game and almost nipped out a win before the end.
Java Lane came into the match needing two wins from their final two matches to secure a super eight birth; but was missing one of their key players in Rizkhan Faizer, who suffered a hamstring injury in their 1 all draw against Navy.
“Missing Rizkhan is a huge blow for us. One of my key players in the set up. I have in on the bench but still not 100%. Going all out for the win!” Mohomed Aadham, Java Lane coach added.
For Super Sun they are in a good position to be in the super eight but knew it would be a tough game against the Slave Island lads.
“We didn’t have practices for like two weeks because of rain. Only the day before we got a small workout; so it will be tough but this is a good team.” Super Sun coach Mohomed Nurdeen told ThePapare.com.
Java Lane got off to an energetic start as Super Sun were clearly out of their depths in the first-half.
Abdullah gave Java Lane the lead when he turned the ball into the net from a Zarwan Johar assist and the Slave Island team looked in command against the out of practice Beruwala side.
A Super Sun failed clearance fell to Harshana Sumudu whose fierce shot was blocked by goalkeeper Mohomed Ifam.
Though Super Sun had the better possession they were unable to penetrate the Java Lane defense, with the Java Lane putting all their players behind the ball when they lose possession.
Abdullah was a constant threat on attack as his pace caused trouble for the Super Sun defense. On one such occasion Dagish’s raking diagonal ball from deep inside their own half found Abdullah’s run and under pressure he wonderfully beat the keeper with a sliding finish for his second goal.
Towards the end of the first half Abdullah nearly made it 3-0 but his effort from a Zarwan layoff was palmed away for a corner.
“As you can see not enough practice. This is a good team can do way better; giving a try to get something out of this match. Need to organize the midfield a lot and the attack.” Mohomed Nurdeen added at half time.
Super Sun ticked off the second half buoyed by their coach’s stern words and on the hour mark got a goal back through Nuwan Priyankara.
Bonsu Kwabena danced his way to the byline on the right and delivered a deep cross and Priyankara connected a looping header over the keeper.
It was a constant attack on the Java Lane goal and the desperate inclusion of Rizkhan couldn’t prevent the second goal.
This time it was Nuwan Priyankara who turned the provider as again his cross found an unmarked Graham Ebernizer who had no trouble in guiding it in, in the 72nd minute.
Super Sun had a couple more opportunities to snatch the win but were unable to guide it in.
“Not satisfied but the way it was at the end of the first half this is a good result though we could have won. Got organized better in midfield which worked for us. Going forward was way better.” Nurdeen added with a smile on his face.
“I feel we started to defend too much. So I had to put rizkhan to make something. They were scared to lose because we needed the win to go to the super eight and that gave Super Sun the advantage. Midfield also stepped back. And the strikers were isolated.” A dejected Java Lane coach added at the end.
“They tried to penetrate from the middle in the 1st half but couldn’t but in the 2nd they went for crosses and our defenders couldn’t prevent those and the goals came from those. Only one match left and would be good to close with the win. No foreign players and young team what we have done I feel is very good.” Aadham finished off.
