The first week of the Dialog Champions League 2016 Super 8 saw all four games providing surprise results with exhilarating gameplay.
Here’s our ‘Team of the Week’ for the Super 8 Week 01 which comes in a 4-3-3 formation.
Position : Goalkeeper
Name: Kaveesh Fernando
Club: New Youngs FC
The young rising star was simply brilliant between the sticks for the newcomers to the Super 8 stage. It was him against the Colombo FC forwards as he pulled of a few crucial saves to keep a clean sheet and earn a valuable point for the Wennapuwa lads.
Position: Left-back
Name: Sanjeewa Seemon
Club: Blue Star SC
Back to back TOTW appearances for the veteran who has found a new position away from his usual central midfield position. Like he did against Solid SC in a must win game, he showed his experience against the rampant Renown side to shut Fazal and co out on the right wing.
Position: Centre-back
Name: Amith Kumara
Club: Solid SC
After a few early hiccups, Solid’s defense got into place, largely thanks to Amith who along with centre-back partner Thilina Bandara held fort while the forwards wreaked havoc on the other end. His aerial presence and positioning was up to the mark.
Position: Centre-back
Name: Nasiru Opayemi
Club: Blue Star SC
Blue Star were heavy underdogs against Renown and they needed the defensive and leadership prowess of Nasiru Opayemi to inspire and guide the Kalutara lads to a surprise 2-0 win.
Position: Right-back
Name: Adjei Richards
Club: New Youngs FC
Apart from Kaveesh it was Adjei Richards who had a lot to do in keeping the Colombo FC forwards away from the goal and he did so marshaling his defense. The few times it was penetrated he had the reliable goalkeeper to keep them from scoring.
Position: Central-midfield
Name: Madushan De Silva
Club: Army SC
The Army skipper was once again a menace on the left, this time to rivals Air Force with his trickery and pace. He set up the first goal and was on hand to score the equalizer with the last kick of the game.
Position: Central-midfield
Name: Shanaka Prabodh
Club: Solid SC
Against Navy, who rely heavily on their passing game, Prabodh was instrumental in unlocking the opposition defense and controlling the midfield as he scored one goal and assisted another as the 2014 champions routed Navy.
Position: Central-midfield
Name: Kavindu Ishan
Club: Air Force SC
Kavindu was somewhat anonymous in the first half though he had his moments towards the end as a couple of his efforts were either saved or the crossbar came in the way. However in the 2nd half he shifted gears to score a goal and led his side in dominating the Army side.
Position: Forward
Name: Thakshila Danoj
Club: Solid SC
He was tremendous up front causing confusion amongst the defense and creating chances. He scored one goal with a delightful finish and assisted on one of Sajeewan’s two goals.
Position: Forward
Name: Afonja Jibola
Club: Blue Star SC
Typical target man play from the big African, as he held up the ball up front sucking in the defense and freeing the on rushing Blue Star attackers to create the damage.
Position: Forward
Name: E.B.Channa
Club: Blue Star SC
He was in the news for all the wrong reasons leading up to the Super 8 week 1 but silenced all those critics with a Man of the Match performance showing he still has more in him. He left with a thundering strike which resulted in an assist and a poacher’s goal to show for his brilliant day.
