DCL16 – Group B Review

Group B of the Dialog Champions League 2016 consisted of the Kings of Sri Lanka football Saunders SC, fabulous Renown SC and a few pretenders to the championship.

Group 1st with 21 points (7W 1L). Being one of the pre-tournament favourites they always looked in control in a tough group and sealed qualification early on in their campaign after notching up 6 consecutive wins straight out of the blocks.

Standout players

Job Michael, Mohamed Rifnaz, Mohamed Fazal

Job Michael was the leader of their front line and the forward had a good return of goals despite some shaky finishing at the start of the campaign. New signing Afam Akram and skipper Mohamed Rifnaz were 2 of the important cogs in the league’s best midfield including Fazal and they contributed with assists and goals on a consistent basis.

Best performances

3-0 vs New Youngs

Renown defeated their closest rivals New Youngs 3-0 away at Wennappuwa in week 3 to cement their place at the top of the table, opening up a gap between themselves and the pack right from the start of the season.

2-1 vs Saunders

On the opening day of the season Renown had a tough fixture against Saunders and found themselves a goal down at the break. They rallied in the second half though, as goals from Fazal and Michael got them off to a winning start.

Group 2nd with 16 points (5W 2L 1D). The real surprise package of the tournament with many talented local players in their ranks. They were touted as a team that could make the Super 8 at the start of the tournament but their second place finish was a big surprise. The team from Wennappuwa found ways to somehow stay ahead of the pack in the hunt for Super 8 qualification picking up important wins against Navy, Super Sun and Saunders on the way.

Standout players

Mohomed Mushikan, Hasitha Priyankara, Kaveesh Fernando

Former Kalutara Park keeper Kaveesh Fernando was brilliant in goal throughout the season for New Youngs whilst at the other end Hasitha Priyankara and Mohamed Mushikan found the back of the net at crucial times to seal valuable points for them.

Best performances

3-1 vs Navy

Many expected Navy to be one of the first teams to seal qualification but they were dealt a massive blow in Wennappuwa by New Youngs who registered a remarkable 3-1 win courtesy of goals from Ankamah George, Hasitha Priyankara and Harsha Tissera.

3-2 vs Super Sun

New Youngs had to take the lead thrice against a determined Super Sun line-up in order to seal all three points away from home in a thrilling game away from home.

Group 3rd with 14 points (4W 2L 2D). A solid outfit that had to work hard to get to the next round. They failed to light up the league in any of their games, but were able to grind out the results they needed with steady performances.

Standout players

Chalana Chameera, Krishantha Perera, Chathuranga Sanjeewa

Chalana Chameera provided good defensive cover at the Right Back position for Navy, whilst also contributing with runs down the flank when they went forward. Chathuranga Sanjeewa and Krishantha Perera are part of the experienced core of the Navy team and contributed regularly putting in the long yards.

Best performances

2-1 vs Renown

Navy dealt Renown their first and only defeat of the season with a stunning 2-1 win at home, to revive their chances of making the Super 8.

Group 4th with 13 points (4W 3L 1D). An attacking minded team with plenty of pace and trickery. Despite all their attacking potency a couple of shock defeats to Super Sun and Java Lane meant that they were one of the last teams to qualify for the Super 8s.

Standout players

Kavindu Ishan, Nipuna Bandara, Dilshan Fernando

Kavindu Ishan and Nipuna Bandara are similar in their style of play with their pace and skill on the ball a constant threat for most defences often providing goals for each other in their campaign. At the other end Dilshan Fernando was at the heart of their defence keeping things steady at the back and was also a threat from set pieces.

Best performances

4-1 vs Navy SC

Going a goal down very early in the game Air Force roared back to beat Navy 4-1 at Welisara in a crucial clash for both teams where all three of the Air Force forwards found the back of the net.

Group 5th with 12 points (4W 4L). Super Sun got off to a horror start in their campaign but they recovered well to end on 12 points for the season. However it was their poor form at the Vernon Fernando Stadium that cost them a great opportunity to put pressure on the two forces team for a spot in the Super 8s.

Standout players

Duodu Joseph, Teo Daniel, Farood Faiz

Duodu Joseph and Teo Daniel were both recruited by Super Sun in the offseason and the foreign players certainly made their mark at either end of the pitch, with Duodu Joseph scoring some crucial goals and Teo Daniel putting in some brilliant defensive performances. Farood Faiz was another new young signing from Renown that also made the score sheet after being thrust into the first XI as defensive cover.

Best performances

1-0 vs Air Force

Super Sun registered their first victory of the season by dealing a shock defeat to Air Force at Ekala with a Shafraz Kais goal and a good defensive performance helping them over the line.

Group 6th with 10 points (3W 4L 1D). It was a season to forget for Saunders as despite having an immensely talented squad, they got off to a bad start and then had a win over Super Sun ruled out for player ineligibility which resulted in a disappointing mid table finish.

Standout players

Sanoj Sameera, Hamed Traore, Suntharaj Niresh

Sanoj Sameera was his usual self for Saunders throughout the season, playing the all important role of midfield anchor for them and bringing an element of stability to the lineup. Hamed Traore and Sundararaj Niresh were important players throughout the campaign as well, creating plenty of chances in attack, but their finishing let them down at times.

Best performances

4-2 vs Java Lane

Saunders came back from a goal down to thrash their cross town rivals 4-2 with Sajith Dharmapala and Sundararaj Niresh starring for them.

Group 7th with 8 points (2W 4L 2D). Police only just about avoided relegation after a miraculous victory on the road against Super Sun. They had a decent team but were outclassed by the superior quality of their group rivals.

Standout players

Sampath Pathirana, Mohamed Sufaik

Skipper Sampath Pathirana and young forward Mohammed Sufaik were their main scoring outlets with Sufaik scoring the all-important goal at the Vernon Fernando Stadium that secured Champions League football for another season.

Best performances

3-2 vs Java Lane

Police had to fight hard to take the lead thrice in order to beat a spirited Java Lane team at City League in what turned out to be the decisive turning point in their quest for survival.

1-0 vs Super Sun

Police came good in a must win game away from home, where they defended well throughout and then took the lead late and held on for the win in order to stay up in the top flight.

Group 8th with 6 points (1W 4L 3D). Relegated. One of Sri Lanka’s most famous teams suffered the ignobility of relegation after a disastrous campaign, They will rue the poor performances against Police and Super Sun at home that ultimately cost them their place in the top flight.

Key Players

Janaka Chaminda, Naveen Jude, Yapi Yapo

The young Royalist Naveen Jude was by far the best and brightest spark for Java Lane in what turned out to be a terrible season. The forward scored consistently throughout the campaign inclusive of some absolute stunners. Skipper Janaka Chaminda and Yapi Yapo were other consistent performers, their tireless efforts often going in vain though as they failed to see his side to safety.

Best performances

2-0 vs Air Force

Java Lane’s best performance of the campaign came too late and despite a brilliant performance to beat Air Force at home, they were still relegated later that week due to Police also saving their best for last.

Group 9th with 2 points. Relegated. Narrowly escaped the drop last year, but no such luck this time around. Two creditable draws against Police and Java Lane not nearly enough to keep them up for another year.