Navy clinch FA Cup with 5-4 win over Army

Yasaratne GAMAGE reporting from Nawalapitiya

The Sri Lanka Navy SC, after a lapse of one year, walked away with the 2012 FA Cup and a cash prize of Rs. 700,000, when they outclassed Army SC by 5-4 on penalties after a drawn game of one goal each at the Jayathilake Stadium, Nawalapitiya yesterday.

The defending champions had to satisfy with the runners up trophy after all their hard sweat being undefeated from pre quarters and even in the final having led the first half.

The final which gave an exciting 90 minutes of football saw the defending champions Army taking lead in the first half with a goal from ever scoring Mohammad Isadeen. However in a well dominated second half by the Navy, Dammika Ratnayake booted the equalizer which opted the referee for a penalty shoot out.

The competitiveness and challenge from both teams was well evident in during the play time and got even tough when both teams ended the first penalty shoot out session scoring three goals each. Chameera Krishantha of Navy made no mistake in his opportunity to score a goal in the second penalty shoot out session which became the decider of the FA Cup 2012 final to give a 4-3 penalty margin in favour of the Navy.

It seemed at the beginning of the game, the Army were in well control of the ball and occupied their opponents goal area most of the time. The Navy on the other hand did not show their attacking play style in the first half and also missed a couple of good chances.

But the sailors came back to track well in the second half. They not only equalized the Army but also gave good pressure on them by penetrating the Army goal area and also by having a few close shots that really hold the breath of the Army goal keeper.

Mohammad Isadeen scored the first goal in the 25th minute deceiving the Navy defend. Midfielder N A Pushpakumara was so quick to pass the ball to Isadeen who got through the Navy defence well to give the soldiers a 1-0 lead in the first half.

Navy defender Janaka Silva was given a yellow card for an unnecessary tackle against Harshan Vidurange. Isadeen got another good chance in the 23rd minute off a pass from Sudarshana but his kick was too wide.

And the Navy too missed a real chance for a header in the 30 minute off a corner kick they were awarded. In the 35th minute the Army had the opportunity hit the board but the kick from the striker was saved after a couple of fumbles by the Navy goal keeper.

The Navy played tactical football in the second half which gave them some close chances of scoring. In the 68th minute Sudarshana could not make it fruitful for the Army when he missed a good and timely pass by Isadeen .

Soon Sajith Kumara of Army was shown a yellow card while trying to get the ball from his opponent in a way seen as hook or crook. In the 72nd minute Dammika Ratnayake scored the equalizer which really changed the game and also it was a goal to really upset the Army amidst their disorganized play in the second half.

The FA Cup 2012 ended with the most exciting way for football fans and of course for the champions Navy, who eargerly waited a year after having won the trophy in 2010.