Despite utilizing seemingly limitless quantities of energy as well as numerous offensive strategies, two very evenly-matched Police and Renown teams failed to prevent their Dialog Champions League encounter ending 1-1, at Police Park yesterday.
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| A Police and Renown player battle for the ball. Pic by Amila Prabodha. |
Fazlur Rahman did the scoring for Renown, while Police benefited from the persistence of the tireless Rajitha Jayawilal.
It was Renown who took charge of the game during its early stages, pouncing on a Police defence that seemed slightly dazed at the beginning. Police’s goalie, Anjana Abrew, was frequently called into action during this period, and a Renown goal seemed imminent.
True to the signs, the visitors struck in the 22nd minute; Rahman lunging at a well placed kick to send the ball sailing past Abrew.
However, the goal roused the home team and their fans to life, and the former proceeded to launch their own attacking moves, meticulously working the ball between players in search of an opening.
As the second half reached the 75 minute mark, Police finally reaped reward for their determination. Jayawilal, who had been a terrier throughout the game, chasing after yet another ball within his reach, beat a Renown defence that had gone to sleep, and belted the game-tying goal.
In the competition’s other games Ratnam beat Blue Star 2-1 at the City Football League Complex and Navy prevailed over Saunders 2-0 at the Kelaniya Football Complex.
The goal scorers for Ratnam were Ravi Lakshan and E.D Channa, while Mohamed Fiyaz slotted in Blue Star’s solitary goal.
Meanwhile, Navy were gifted a goal in their match when Saunder’s goalie Asanka Viraj handled the ball outside the area, leading to a converted penalty from Christeen Fernando. E.A Chathuranga was the scorer of the game’s final goal. |
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