Blue Star breach Defenders’ defence 3-1

Two classic goals by Shenal Sandesh Pingho guided Blue Star to post another comfortable win defeating Defenders by 3 goals to 1 in the inter-club soccer encounter played for the ‘Super League’ Championship at Sugathadasa stadium yesterday.

After scoring a goal midway in the first half, Blue Star striker Shenal gave a scintillating performance and managed to net two spectacular goals in the second half to seal the game in their favour, which eventually became their fifth win and also consolidated their position within the top three in contention for the title, while the chances of their rivals faded further.

After some scrappy moments in the first half-hour, Blue Star Defender Arepade Jerry Ombembe made the initial scoring in the 36th minute of the game. His left-footed kick off a 25-meter free kick in front of the post angled in leaving rival goalie Nuwan Gimhana grasping at thin air with no option of preventing it. Seven minutes later, due to a defensive lapse, Defenders equalised through Sajith Kumara Mendis, who bisected the rival defense and surged ahead to chip the ball into the net. Both teams went for the breather with a 1-all score.

After the short whistle, both teams changed their tactics and began to hunt for scoring opportunities. The winners played a well-controlled game while infusing an offensive strategy. Their rivals, however, played in patches and failed to utilise the chances which came their way.

Shenal Sandesh Pingho’s brilliant individual effort, scoring in the 63rd and 85th minutes of the match, placed the final nail in the Defenders coffin, and they have now collected 16 points from seven matches, winning five of them. Tharanga Pushpakumara referred.