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Match report Stephen.Ho:

On their 2nd outing since the New Year, the Colombo Lions once again demonstrated a team spirit which bodes well for their upcoming matches. Although the 2-1 loss was disappointing, they can take heart from a gritty performance which included many moments of flair and fluid football.

The match started with end to end football with both teams applying pressure on goal. Having successfully withstood all opposition attacks, and countered with some skillful football orchestrated from Midfield, the Lions were playing with confidence only to be caught on the counter-attack and go a goal down. All appeals for offside were ignored by the officials. Soccer Fan's second came ten or so minutes later starting with an attack from deep. Nevertheless, the Lions held together and kept the focus on attack, with Stevie A and Richard providing support for Mucky as the roaming striker. Chandu continually harried the opposition's left flank, creating some good opportunities.

The Lions got a goal back when Mucky, passing a couple of defenders on a strong run towards the left corner flag, crossed for Stevie A who, on the run, hit an inside right foot volley from just inside the penalty box, leaving the keeper with little chance.

10 minutes before half-time the heavens opened. The Lions naturally thought such wet conditions would favour them against a more agile opposition. However, the visitors proved equal to the water-logged conditions with some clever passing and moving.

After the break, with the rain still pouring, both teams gave 100%. The lions had numerous shots from long range which put pressure on the opposition. Mucky made a number of surging runs, but was foiled by a flag happy linesman and some bad penalty decisions. The lions defence held out against repeated deep runs and long balls from the Soccer Fans with Andy giving a solid and inspiring performance as centerback. Caddi at leftback used his pace to out-play any attacks from the left.

It can only be left to conjecture whether more subs would have helped the Lions to overpower the opposition.

The scoresheet will mark this match as a disappointing and probably undeserved defeat, yet the team can take a lot of positives from a committed performance which saw the midfield supporting the defence as well as the attack, a lot of opportunities created, a superb goal, and a solid four-man defence.