FA Cup 2017 Quarter Finals saw a lop-sided goalfest and three other entertaining matches.
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ThePapare.com has chosen the XI worthy to be named in the ‘Team of the Quarter Finals’ for the FA Cup 2017 which comes in a 4-3-3 formation.
FA Cup Semi Finals Preview
With just 4 teams left in the FA Cup, the semi-finals will see two mouthwatering clashes dished up for football lovers at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Position : Goalkeeper
Name: Mohamed Imran
Club: Colombo FC
Imran had a clean sheet against Air Force SC, the only clean sheet from the 4 matches. Not only that, he made three brilliant saves, twice to deny Kavindu Ishan. One of which was a one on one situation where a pin point tackle was needed. He went onto save a Kavindu Ishan penalty late in the game as well.
Position : Left-back
Name: Chanuka Eranga
Club: Saunders SC
The only consistent performer throughout the 90 minutes, in the Saunders v Blue Star match which failed to live upto the pre-match hype. He was lively going up in attack, delivering enticing crosses while being rock solid at the back.
Position : Centre-back
Name: Afeel Mohamed
Club: Colombo FC
Playing through an injury which he suffered late in the Dialog Champions League Super 8 campaign Afeel produced another robust performance. He was commanding in the air and precise with his tackles to go with the clean sheet.
Position : Centre-back
Name: Fahim Nizamdeen
Club: Java Lane SC
One of the vital cogs in the wheel for Java Lane SC. He has been major part of the Java Lane revival, especially at the back. His experience and leadership was evident while his defensive capabilities looked on song against Renown’s attacking front three.
Position : Right-back
Name: Niran Kanishka
Club: Colombo FC
Head Coach Mohamed Roomy’s go-to man in crunch matches, Niran Kanishka once again proved why he is an invaluable asset newly crowned Dialog Champions League winners. He was given the task of keeping Air Force SC’s danger man Kavindu Ishan quiet. He did the job excellently – apart from a couple of occasions when Ishan managed to get past him.
Position : Central-midfield
Name: Madushan De Silva
Club: Army SC
He was devastating on the left with his runs and trickery. The Super Sun defenders had no answers and his runs behind the defence created panic and space which resulted in Army scoring most of their 12 goals. He got a deserved goal late in the match to go along with three assists.
Position : Central-midfield
Name: Janaka Chaminda
Club: Java Lane SC
In a big game for Java Lane against a star-studded midfield of Renown SC, Chaminda nullified the threat of Rifnaz, Fazul and Fazal working in tandem with Rizkhan Faizer. He gave Java Lane the all-important opening goal with a brilliant free-kick.
Position : Central-midfield
Name: Mohamed Abdullah
Club: Java Lane SC
Abdullah has been in form for the past 2 months. His speed and strength down the right wing was a handful for Mohamed Rizkhan. The threat of him pushing forward kept the Renown SC attack in two minds whenever they came attacking into the opposition half. Abdullah provided the assist for the 2nd Java Lane goal.
Position : Forward
Name: Mohamed Issadeen
Club: Army SC
A hat-trick and a few assists for the veteran capped off another performance of excellence for the veteran. 2017 FA Cup’s highest goal scorer was clinical with his scoring and kept a high level of intensity throughout the 90 minutes.
Position : Forward
Name: Thiwanka Chandrasekara
Club: Army SC
Tall and strong Thiwanka Chandrasekara was bullish from the time of his inclusion in the 2nd half. His aerial prowess was on show with two headed goals and the other three were clinical finishes to complete his five goals. He provided the assist for Madushan De Silva’s goal.
Position : Forward
Name: Naveen Jude
Club: Java Lane SC
Naveen is another one of Sri Lanka’s top young talents who has been in top form during the last 6-7 months. Scored two goals in a man of the match performance but should have added two more as his pace and high pressing game caused numerous problems for the Renown SC defence.
