Third match inside a week really tested the players heading into the business end of the group stage with a few notable performances and new entries to the Team of the Week.
From the 8 matches ThePapare.com has chosen the XI who was worthy enough to be named in the ‘Team of the Week’ which comes in a 4-4-2 formation.
Position : Goalkeeper
Name: Ruwan Prabath Arunasiri
Club: Air Force SC
Ruwan kept Air Force in the game against a much improved Police SC, making a few crucial saves to deny Police a win, in a rather lackluster performance from the Airmen.
Position: Left-back
Name: Lasantha Nuwan
Club: Up Country Lions SC
Lasantha Nuwan was a constant menace for Army on the left flank in attack and defense, while creating a couple of chances for the Lions, which were unfortunately not converted.
Position: Centre-back
Name: Dilshan Fernando
Club: Air Force SC
Former Air Force skipper showed once again his goal scoring capacity with a wonderful free-kick while keeping it tight at the back.
Position: Centre-back
Name: Christeen Fernando
Club: Navy SC
The veteran former Sri Lanka centre back had a busy evening against a desperate Thihariya Youth side and came out trumps showing his experience in earning a clean sheet for his team.
Position: Right-back
Name: Mohamed Rawzan
Club: Crystal Palace FC
The youngster once again displayed why he is a star on the rise, with an energetic and composed performance in a match Crystal Palace played without a few of their seniors and was a threat for the Blue Star defense.
Position: Left-midfield
Name: Madushan De Silva
Club: Army SC
After a string of good performances Army skipper Madushan De Silva finally makes the Team of the Week scoring a brace, in a match where he had to put his hand up with top scorer Mohamed Issadeen out due to illness.
Position: Central-midfield
Name: Eschun Acooty
Club: Negombo Youth SC
In the relegation battle match Negombo Youth came out all guns blazing with Acooty starting for them for the first time and scoring a hat-trick against Civil Security Force.
Position: Central-midfield
Name: Sajith Dharmapala
Club: Saunders SC
With two accurate penalties and a commanding midfield performance against rivals Java Lane, Sajith Dharmapala makes the Team of the Week for the first time this season.
Position: Right-midfield
Name: Mohamed Mushikan
Club: New Youngs SC
From the start to the finish showed his energy and pace, while scoring the game winner deep into injury time.
Position: Forward
Name: Suntharaj Niresh
Club: Saunders SC
Two penalties created and a goal scored for last year’s Sri Lanka U19 player, Suntharaj Niresh was a handful for the Java Lane defense who couldn’t seem to track his runs and movement throughout the game.
Position: Forward
Name: Naveen Jude
Club: Java Lane SC
While Niresh was creating havoc on the other end it was Naveen Jude who was exceptional for Java Lane on the other. Even though they lost Naveen showed composure, good finishing skills and aerial prowess for a little man, scoring his 2nd double of the season.
