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FIFA World Cup 2006 Asian Zone
Gutty Sri Lankans hold favourite Turks
By M. Shamil Amit
The Sri Lankan soccerites who drew two all in their second round match against Indonesia last month put up another superlative performance when they held the strong Turkmenistan side to a two all draw after having led one nil at the breather in the second round game of the World Cup Asian zone qualifying round game played at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

The visitors came into the match full of confidence having earlier beaten Sri Lanka two nil in the first round game played in Turkmenistan in February this year. The Lankans looked an improved side though they missed the services of three key players. It was two of the players Kasun Jayasuriya and Maduranga Ratnayake who replaced them that nearly won the game for the local side.

The game began at a hot pace with both sides missing ample chances of surging ahead. The Lankans were unfortunate as plenty of scoring opportunities went a begging due to poor shots at goal. It was the Turkmenistans that drew first blood when in the 20th minute of the first half through a header from right inside Bayramov Nikita.

With no further scoring done lemons were taken with the visitors holding on to the 1-0 nil lead. Resuming in the second half the Lankans playing with a set plan struck in the second minute through Isuru Perera who beat the Turkmenistan goalie neck and crop to equalize.

The Lankans continued their attack and were in their opponent's territory for most of the time and they succeeded in taking over the lead in the 12th minute.

Right extreme Kasun Jayasuriya who took a pass from the centre dribbled past many defenders and passed the ball to left extreme Ratnayake who had no difficulty in beating the goalie.

The Turkmenistans went into the attack immediately with some sharp moves but missed out in scoring. In the 23rd minute they received a chance of a goal and equalized from a slow kick by left inside Nazarov Artyom which could have been saved by the Sri Lanka goalie.

Immediately after that Chaturanga Maduranga was shown the red card for rough play and had to leave the field, which left the Sri Lankans to play with ten players.

With both sides playing an attacking game it could have been anybody's match but the Lankans were at a disadvantage with ten players in the side and they held the port to hold their conquerors to a two all draw.

It was a match filled with yellow cards shown to players from both sides with the Turkmenistan shown the most. Sri Lankans will confront Saudi Arabia in a second round encounter on November 11 to be played in Saudi Arabia with the first game ending in a one nil win for the latter.

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