The Super 8 stage is finally upon us, and the eight qualified teams will lock horns at the Race Course stadium this weekend, which will undoubtedly produce some great action for football lovers to savour.
ThePapare.com takes a look at each of this week’s fixtures.
Air Force SC vs Army SC (3rd September at Race Course grounds at 3:50pm)
Army have proven themselves to be the team to beat this season with an impressive 7 wins and a draw in the group stage. Air Force on the other hand also managed to reach this stage despite suffering some shock defeats against Super Sun and Java Lane en route.
One thing going for them is that they Army have struggled to deal with the pace and trickery of the likes of Kavindu Ishan and Nipuna Bandara in the past, with the Airmen defeating the Soldiers in last year’s Super 8 stage to bring to an end a similarly impressive undefeated run.
Army rested their superstars in the final few weeks of the group stage and they will be fresh and ready to mount a challenge for the title. Will be a great game to open the Super 8 stage.
LIVE – Air Force SC v Army SC – DCL16 Super 8
Renown SC vs Blue Star SC (3rd September at Race Course grounds at 6:00pm)
Renown had a great group stage campaign sealing their qualification with a couple of games to spare.
They come up against a Blue Star team that endured a rollercoaster of a season so far filled with highs and lows that culminated with them sealing their Super 8 spot at home against Solid SC in a thrilling encounter.
Renown are overwhelming favourites, but Blue Star have upset big teams in the past and will attempt to surprise their opponents in their opening clash.
LIVE – Renown SC vs Blue Star SC – DCL16 Super 8
Navy SC vs Solid SC (4th September at Race Course grounds at 3:50pm)
Navy and Solid both had steady seasons and this will be a balanced clash between two teams that will have to improve if they are to challenge for the biggest prize.
Solid are a much better outfit than they were last year but have struggled to break down organized defences at times this season.
Navy also failed to light up the group stage but were able to grind out the results they needed , which is also a useful quality in the Super 8 stage. Should be a close game.
LIVE – Navy SC vs Solid SC – DCL16 Super 8
New Youngs SC vs Colombo FC (4th September at Race Course grounds at 6:00pm)
New Youngs have done extremely well to overcome a series of injury issues to qualify for this stage but now they will be tested to find out how good they really are.
The team from Wennappuwa have relied heavily on their young local talent to get them this far, but they will need to hit another gear to defeat the likes of Colombo FC.
Colombo FC do not have the aura of invincibility they had last year, but are still a very good team, capable of defending their title.
Colombo FC will go in favourites but New Youngs will certainly give them a good run for their money.
LIVE -New Youngs SC vs Colombo FC – DCL16 Super 8
All games will be streamed LIVE on ThePapare.com
