St George rolled out the tanks but it wasn't enough to overcome the well-oiled machine of the Defense Force and especially their goalkeeper, Clement Boye who proved himself a wall as the two sides settled for a 0-0 draw at the Hawassa University Stadium.
Emmanuel Gebremichael sent Abel Yalew clear in under three minutes of the first half with the keeper at his mercy and Keenan Mckenna lurking, but he failed to beat Boye
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The Defense Force attacked St George in the 14th minute through Okutu Emmanuel, who laid off for Girum Hagos, but Biniyam Belay connected poorly as he slid into his path.
In the 19th minute, Okutu Emmanuel got on the end of a cross but the referee would have none of it.
They opened up St George once again in the 27th minute with Girum Hagos setting up Alemante Kassa who looked up and teed up Emmanuel. The striker was again free but Charles Lukwago in goal for St George stood tall to prevent him from pulling the trigger.
Hagos was through on goal again on 37 minutes but Lukwago foiled him.
St George took over the pressure with Kenean Markneh right front and centre of everything they did and he came close on four occasions, most notably in the 41st minute when he ran down the left flank and picked up the return pass from Abel Yalew, but Boye stopped him short.
Boye dropped the ball with Mensah lurking but the Ghanian could not convert. Boye redeemed himself by standing tall as Agoro received a headed pass from Markneh and unleashed a thunderbolt
He saved off Markneh in the 75th minute but St George could have won it in the 78th minute when their captain, Haida Sherafa, drove down the right wing and crossed to Agoro who fluffed the chance as the game ended goalless.
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