After 200 matches in the group stage eight teams proved their worth to take the next step in challenging for the 2015 Dialog Champions League. However some were not so fortunate while four teams were demoted to Division I.
Group A
Saunders SC – 5th
Form guide
Saunders virtually sealed their fate in the Dialog Champions League with an uncharacteristic first half of the season even though they made a furious comeback in the latter part.
The defense was good but poor finishing costed them vital points in the first five matches as they lost to Army and Solid SC while drawing against Air Force, Renown and Up-Country Lions.
Saunders sprung to life with 5-0 and 6-2 drubbings of Nandimithra SC and Pelicans SC respectively. Needing to win their last few matches they met Crystal Palace where Palace came out on top. However Saunders did everything they could, winning against Police and needed Police to beat Renown in the final week in order to have a chance at the top four; which Renown thwarted in an emphatic 4-2 win.
Solid SC – 6th
Form guide
Last year’s Champions had a miserable season struggling to keep rhythm and momentum throughout the group stage.
Much to be blamed was the unavailability of the two center-backs Amith Kumara and Thilina Bandara. With them at the back Solid were miserly last season but with Bandara transferring to Super Sun and Amith Kumara out for the season due to injury weakened the once strong defense.
They only conceded 15 goals in 20 matches last season but let in 14 in just 10 matches this season. They managed to keep the scoring rate up but the defense let them down in crucial moments especially in their opening encounter against Police and Nandimithra losing six vital points.
Nandimithra SC – 7th
Form guide
The Civil Security Force had a good start to the season but winning just one of their final six matches hampered the progress.
Nandimithra had good wins against Police, Pelicans, Highlanders and an impressive 3-2 wins against Solid SC amidst a host of losses. Their possession and ball play were good in most of the matches but when come up against stronger opposition struggled with goal scoring.
Police SC – 8th
Form guide
Police started off the campaign with a morale boosting 4-3 win against defending champions Solid SC after chasing the game for almost 90 minutes.
They had a miserable 2014 season but were lucky not to get relegated and with this win they would have thought about progressing under former Ratnam and Super Sun coach Mohamed Noordeen. However failure to have consistent performance in the early part and with no wins in the final five games derailed the progress.
One characteristic about Police season was that they played better in the second half than the first, which allowed them to earn a point against Crystal Palace and New Youngs after being two goals down.
Up Country Lions – 9th
Form guide
What kept Up-Country alive in the Champions League was their number of draws and low number of goals conceded in the group stage which earned them vital points.
Though Lions had only one win they managed four draws, three more than Pelicans in the group stage; they came against Saunders, Highlanders, Solid and Police. The only win came in the penultimate week against Nandimithra away from home which allowed them to be above the relegation zone even with the loss to Pelicans the following week.
Though they had trouble scoring, the defense was tight conceding only 12 goals; second lowest behind Saunders in the mid-table and relegation clubs.
Pelicans SC – 10th
Form guide
Though Pelicans from Kurunegala secured two wins they were unable to draw important matches and the leaky defense did not help them either.
Pelicans lost their opening four matches heavily but won against Highlanders. They should have won the next match against Crystal Palace after leading most of the game but unfortunately allowed the Gampola side to score two quick goals near the end.
Even with the final week 2-1 win against fellow strugglers Up-Country Lions, was not enough as Pelicans were relegated and will have to play in Division I next year.
Highlanders – 11th
Form guide
Highlanders who won the Division I Championship in 2014 defeating Moragasmulla SC which promoted them to the Champions League were not fortunate as their stay was short lived.
Being an Army unit team and with Football Federation rules allowing only two Army players they had to overhaul almost the whole squad which completely destroyed their morale and momentum and lost heavily in most of their matches. Their only point in the Champions League came in the 0-0 draw against Up-Country Lions.
