A composed Police SC outfit was denied by a scintillating second half display by Renown SC which was highlighted by another Job Micheal hat-trick as they kept their flawless record in this year’s competition intact with a 6-2 win, in a Dialog Champions League group B encounter worked off at Kelaniya Complex.
The visitors put up a resilient performance during the first half as they showed great composure in midfield and in defense leaving the hosts Renown to rethink their approach to the game.
Despite their midfield dominance it was the visitors who had a clear chance to open the scoring. Kelvin Kenu scuffed an easy header after his skipper sent in peach of a ball from the left.
The hosts had chances of their own with the livewire Micheal making the Police goalkeeper Dumith Sashika work quite a few times as a couple of his efforts were tipped over the bar.
Mohamed Fazal who was a thorn in the Police defense throughout the half made sure to work the keeper as some of his efforts kept the Police keeper’s gloves warm.
But with persistent pressure by Renown growing on Police throughout the latter stages, they finally managed to crack their resilience on the first minute of additional time as Fazal’s shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection off a Police defender and left the keeper very little chance.
The cops went into the hut rather disappointed as their excellent first half performance was dented by an injury time goal right at the depth.
Half time – Renown SC 1 – 0 Police SC
The second half saw Renown starting off with more pace and zip to their offensive play as they clearly weren’t settling to a one goal cushion.
After Micheal was denied by the bar at the end of a breathtaking move which involved Renown’s six midfield players, the pressure started mounting on the cops who were breached yet again after just eight minutes from the restart.
Yet another pearler from Mohamed Rifnaz found Fazal’s feet with an inch perfect pass on the right and he made life easy for Micheal as he laid it off at his mercy for a simple tap in.
With their lead doubled in quick time, Renown stepped on the gas to turn this tie into another drubbing.
However completely against the run of play the Malinga Hettiarachchi found space as Renown partially switched off, that’s all he needed as he set up Kelvin Kenu who made no mistake this time around to pull the visitors back into the game.
But the joy and belief was short lived however as the hosts showed their depth and class yet again when they rallied to score their third when Rifnaz pounced on a defensive mix up to set Micheal on his way to score his brace in the 60th minute to make it 3-1 in favor of the hosts.
They left no room for error from that point onwards as they continued pile on three more goals in the 68th, 80th and 87th minutes respectively. Micheal grabbed his second hat-trick in as much weeks continuing his prolific goal scoring form.
Fazul Rahuman scored neat goal himself making a run from deep, as he chipped the Police keeper from slightly outside the box to round off a good day at the office.
The Cops however managed to find yet another consolation as their skipper Nilantha Pathirana danced his way past a tiring defense to score his first to make the score line 6-2 on the 85th minute.
The game came to a rather frantic end with the Police spectators clearly displeased with the refereeing. They claimed that Micheal was offside while he scored the goal yet was ignored by the linesman. Disgruntled by the poor calling throughout the game the emotions over poured at the end of it as they made themselves heard to the match commissioner which led to toxic atmosphere on the sidelines.
Mohamed Fazal proved pivotal once again in offense for Renown as his soaring runs behind the Police defense provided ample industry for his team. His ability to both score and provide when necessary proves to be vital for Renown’s title hopes this year.
Full time – Renown SC 6 – 2 Police SC
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Mohamed Fazal
Job Micheal of Renown SC on his hat-trick;
“I’m happy about my performance now I’ve scored more than 12 goals in 6 games including two hat tricks in the last two games” on his team “Yes, we’re playing well as a unit and we have high hopes of going all the way unbeaten this year.”
Mohamed Noordeen coach of Police SC;
“It was a tough defeat especially after the metal we showed in the first half. Even while it was 2-1 we were hopeful, however questionable refereeing decisions went against us but that’s what the game is. We need to dust ourselves up and face our next week opponents to keep our hopes alive in this year’s competition.”
Goal Scorers
Renown SC – Mohamed Fazal 45+1’, Job Michael 51’, 60’, 80’ & 87’, Fazul Rahuman 68’
Police SC – Kelvin Kanu 53’, Nilantha Pathirana 85’Substitutions
Renown SC – Shamil Ahamed on Falul Rahuman off (61st), Mohamed Humaid on Afam Akram off (70th), Mohamed Azlam on Mohamed Rifnaz off (78th)
Police SC – S.Shafeek on Kelvin Kenu off (80th), Malith Chathuranga on Nilantha Pathirana off (85th)Bookings
Yellow cards
Renown SC – Afam Akram 13’, Mohamed Humaid 82’
Police SC – Sujith Sanjeewa 13’, Dumith Shashika 35’, Mohamed Humaid 82’
