Thihariya Youth dug deep to find a stoppage time equalizer to share the spoils against Java Lane SC 1-1 in their group B clash in the Dialog Champions League, worked off at the Kelaniya Football Complex.
Both teams started off on a positive note pressing both opponents. However, both defenses held firm as they managed to handle the pressure with composure. Despite the encouraging start from both teams none of the players managed to trouble the goalkeepers being limited to long rage efforts off target.
The first telling opening fell on the feet of hosts when Onwumelu Emmanuel squared the ball for his team mate only to be denied by a valiant defensive lunge by the Thihariya skipper in defense.
The rest of half produced very less as both defenses kept their shape and provided very little space to their opponents. P.T.Mmaduaburuchchi provided the spark for the visitors with his blistering pace running the channels on the left. He was matched stride to stride by M.O. Patrick as he played the perfect number 9’s role only unable to show something for his efforts.
The whistle blew for lemons with both left teams left to ponder upon not making their chances count as either team wasn’t keen on dropping points in this tough group.
The second half started off perfect for the hosts when Naveen Jude managed to head home an inch perfect cross from midfield only to be denied by the offside flag in the 47th minute.
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The visitors had a chance of their own to open the scoring when a Mmaduaburuchchi corner was handled poorly by the Java Lane goalkeeper Dammika Senerath; the partial clearance fell at the feet of Damanyantha Kumara who blazed his shot over the bar.
The opener arrived in the 51st minute when Mohamed Aleem scored a scintillating free kick from 20 yards out leaving the keeper with no chance.
That paved the way to open up the game as it stretched proceedings with the visitors stepping on the gas to get back into the tie. It was all Thihariya Youth from that point onwards as they pinned the hosts to their own half.
The forwards wreaked havoc against a tiring defense creating more and more chances. They managed to fire shot after shot which only lacked trajectory nevertheless it felt like a goal was soon coming.
The goal finally came in the 91st minute when another menacing set piece from Mmaduaburuchchi was taken down by K.G.Perera to swat it to the bottom right corner, much to the anguish of the hosts. The disgruntled Java Lane players claimed that the ball was taken down by Perera with the use of his hands. There was no respite given by the referee though as he awarded the goal to the visitors.
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The game came to a close shortly after leaving the visitors in ecstasy as they managed to salvage a point at the very end. The feeling was quite the opposite in the other camp as Java Lane rued the missed chances which could have possibly put the game beyond the reach of Thihariya.
Mmaduaburuchchi was the star of the clash as his relentless running throughout the 90 minutes made the difference for the visitors creating ample opportunities throughout the match.
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: P.T.Mmaduaburuchchi (Thihariya Youth SC)
Coach Siraj Zakaria of Thihariya Youth SC;
“We have a good team, we’re disappointed not to take all three points yet we are pleased that we managed to fight the way we did after a short preparation period. We’re hoping to replicate this performance in the coming games to challenge the rest of the teams in our group.”
Coach Jagath Rohana of Java Lane SC;
“This is not the result we wanted, it is disappointing to concede that late in a game but we have to improve before facing the much fancied teams in the group.”
Goal Scorers
Java Lane SC – Mohamed Aleem 51’
Thihariya Youth – K.G.Perera 91’Cautions
Yellow Cards – P.T.Mmaduaburuchchi (Thihariya Youth SC), Chamara De Silva (Java Lane SC), Fahim Nizamdeen (Java Lane SC)Substitutions
Java Lane – Damayantha Kumara (out) Rizwan Shahib (in), Mohomed Abdullah (in) Mohamed Aleem (out)
Thihariya Youth – Sanjaban (in) Yaasar Mohomed (out)
