ThePapare.com picked the Team of the Tournament, of the recently concluded FA Cup 2016.
Nilanka Kumara Sirisena – Goalkeeper (Army SC)
He was instrumental in getting Army to the final with stellar performances in the quarter final, semi-final and the final.
Nilanka was the hero in the penalty shootout win against Air Force in the quarter final where he saved two penalties, while keeping a clean sheet against Colombo FC in the semi-final. He denied Renown forward Job Michael a few times in the first half of the final as well.
Worthy mention on current Sri Lanka U19 and Saunders SC goalkeeper Rasik Rishad
wherehe did notconcede a goal in the three matches he played and was the penalty hero as well against Comrades SC.
Dimuthu Priyadarshana – Right Back (Renown SC)
Dimuthu has been a consistent performer for Renown over the last one year and his work in defense and attack goes unnoticed amongst the star studded Renown midfield.
Niangoran Eudes – Centre Back (Saunders SC)
The tall Ivory Coast man has been a pillar of strength for the resurgence of Saunders SC where they kept 4 clean sheets up until the semi-final, while offering the threat from set-pieces with his height.
Hakeem Kamil – Centre Back (Renown SC)
Last year’s Renown SC skipper shows calmness under pressure and looks to have a lot of time with him when he has the ball, along with his composure and robust tackles.
He had one clean sheet and only conceded four goals in five matches.
Chanuka Eranga – Left Back (Saunders SC)
Eranga was part of a great defensive unit for Saunders, very effective defensively more than in offense and is one of the first on the team card for the Price Park boys.
Sankha Danushka – Central Midfield (Army SC)
Sankha has been excellent in the past couple of years which has earned him a national call-up as the midfield lynchpin for Army was at the heart of everything.
The veteran scored two goals in the tournament including the equalizer against Renown in the final.
Sanoj Sameera © – Central Midfield (Saunders SC)
The other central midfielder as well as the captain of Saunders and our Team of the Tournament, has been a vital cog in the wheel of Saunders.
His breaking up play and distribution in tough matches including the quarter final against Blue Star and semi-final against Renown SC was a stand-out.
Mohamed Rifnaz – Central Attacking Midfield (Renown SC)
Current Renown and Sri Lanka skipper bags the CAM role had a good tournament with three goals including a cracker in the final.
He pops up in ideal places on the lookout for goals and combines well with the midfield to start attacking moves, while making runs into the box.
Bodrie Dimitri – Left Wing (Colombo FC)
Dimitri continued from where he left off in the 2015 Dialog Champions League, scoring 10 goals in three matches with 5 assists.
Mohamed Issadeen – Striker (Army SC)
13 goals including 8 against Brilliant SC in the pre-quarter final, Issadeen defies his age with his pace and finishing prowess.
Made a miraculous recovery from a hamstring injury, which he sustained in the semi-final, to start the final a week later and score a brace.
Mohamed Fazal – Right Wing (Renown SC)
Continuing his good form along with his passing, movement and trickery, Fazal scored two goals and assisted in three in the tournament.
