Navy through to FA Cup final

Published : 10:02 am  July 30, 2012 |  No comments so far  |     |   (30)  |  

In a tense 90 minutes of play former champion Sri Lanka Navy beat five times champion Ratnam SC by one goal to nil in the first semi-final of the 2012 Holcim FA Cup, played at the City Football Complex on Saturday.

The sailors dominated play from the first whistle and they came close to scoring on several occasions but their forwards fumbled as Ratnam defended strongly.

Soon after the turn around P R Thilanka Nandasiri receiving a long pass from the midfield controlled it well and sent in a perfect cross from the right extreme into the goal area of Ratnam.

Malik Migara rose high and headed the ball into the far corner of the net to give a one goal to nil lead in the 51st minute.

A couple of minutes later the sailors earned a penalty and Malik Migara who took the spot kick did not have any power and Ratnam custodian Shehan Sylveira dived to the left to hold onto the ball.

Until then Ratnam who seemed to be planning for penalty shoot-outs suddenly changed the pattern of the game and made inroads into the sailors territory on numerous occasions. They should be blamed for missing five chances all inside the six yard box.

Ravindra Lasantha, Tharindu Eranga, M. Yogarajah were the culprits who missed the chances.  

During the dying stages one of the key players from Ratnam was sent off for a second offence.

G.N. Robesh officiated.

By Tony Mike