DCL16 – Group A Review

Group A of the Dialog Champions League 2016 consisted of two recent champions, in Colombo FC (2015) and Solid SC (2014) with the likes of Blue Star SC, Negombo Youth, Crystal Palace and the powerhouse Army SC.

Topped the group with 22 points (7W 1D). One of the best teams in the group stage being the only team that went undefeated. They dropped points only away against runners up Solid SC with a scoreless draw, the only time they failed to find the back of the net.

Standout players

Mohamed Issadeen, Madhushan De Silva, Sanka Dhanushka

Issadeen was at his goalscoring best throughout the campaign and even though he did have a few injury problems, he was always a threat when he played. Skipper Madhushan De Silva led from the front with some stellar performances down the left flank, scoring and assisting several times as well. Sanka Dhanushke was his usual self, directing the play from midfield and setting up the transition from defence into attack.

Best performances

6-0 vs Blue Star

In their first game of the season they demolished Blue Star 6-0 with Issadeen scoring 4, setting the benchmark for their group stage campaign.

2-0 vs Colombo FC

Resting many of their key players in the final game week they were still able to overcome a relatively strong Colombo FC team courtesy of some great performances from the bench.

Finished behind Army with 15 points (4W 1L 3D). The 2014 champions got off to a flying start but lost momentum midseason following consecutive draws against Matara City, Up Country Lions and Army. They sealed qualification with a game to spare though after an emphatic 4-2 win at home against Colombo FC.

Standout players

Gnanaruban Vinoth, O.I.Abumere, Edison Figurado

Gnanaruban and Figurado continued to be key players for the Anuradhapura team, scoring goals and providing impetus for attacks from midfield. New foreign signing Abumere was also impressive, netting several key goals in the group stage.

Best performances

4-2 vs Colombo FC

Solid thrashed the defending champions at home after going three games without a win, to seal a Super 8 spot with Gnananruban scoring a brace in the rout.

3rd place in the group with 15 points (5W 3L). Colombo FC suffered a shock last minute loss in their first game against Blue Star but then put together a good run of 5 wins on the trot, only to lose to Solid and Army in the final game weeks to end the group campaign without much momentum.

Standout players

Afis Olayemi, Nagur Meera, Mohamed Ramees

New signings Nagur Meera and Afis Olayemi were amongst the goals for Colombo FC with Olayemi topscoring for the capital based team. Mohamed Ramees was a key figure for Colombo FC in defence throughout the campaign, helping them keep 3 clean sheets with a relatively inexperienced back line.

Best performances

4-0 vs Negombo Youth

After losing their first game and a poor first half against the team from Negombo, they hit top gear in the second half scoring three goals in 10 minutes with Zarwan putting in a stellar display to seal an impressive win.

4th place with 13 points (4W 3L 1D). A rollercoaster of a season for the team from Kalutara, who managed to qualify despite terrible defeats to Army (6-0) Crystal Palace (2-1) and Matara City (1-0). They made the Super 8s only after a heroic 2-0 win over Solid at home.

Standout players

Idowu Hameed, Manjula Fernando, Nasiru Opayemi

Idowu Hameed was one of the big stars for Blue Star, converting several pressure penalties whilst also finding the net in key clashes to end up as their top scorer. Skipper Manjula Fernando and defender Nasiru Opayemi were stars at the other end of the pitch with Opayemi being involved in some key goals for them as well.

Best performances

2-0 vs Solid SC

In a must win game at the end of the season, Blue Star put in their best performance in front of their own fans to seal Super 8 qualification in style.

Group 5th with 12 points (4W 4L). Few would have believed Negombo Youth would end up joint top goalscorers in the group stage. However due to poor early season form they narrowly missed out on Super 8 qualification.

Standout players

Bright Acootey, Harindra Peris, Abdul Mumuni

Acootey and Mumuni used their pace to great effect throughout the season, scoring and assisting regularly as the season progressed. Midfielder Harindra Peiris also had an impressive season for them dictating the play well from midfield.

Best performances

4-0 vs Crystal Palace

They knocked the stuffing out of Crystal Palace at Nawalapitiya with a stellar display to jump clear of the relegation zone with Harindra Peiris netting a brace in the game.

8-0 vs Up Country  Lions

On their return to the Jayatillake Stadium in Nawalapitiya they ran riot, snuffing out any hopes the Lions had of making the Super 8 with an 8-0 drubbing.

Group 6th with 10 points (3W 4L 1D). After their great season last year, it was a disappointing follow up season for the team from Gampola, as they failed to make the Super 8 due to inconsistent form.

Standout players

Udibosi Erastus, Isaac Aba, Khalid Azmil

Erastus and Aba continued to be the major goalscoring threats for Crystal Palace whilst Khalid Azmil also had a great season, scoring a couple of goals for them from defence.

Best performances

2-1 vs Blue Star

With their Super 8 hopes hanging in the balance, they overcame fellow contenders Blue Star at home to pump life into their top 4 challenge once again.

Group 7th with 9 points (2W 3L 3D). The Lions got off to a great start but when the tough matches came along they were unable to replicate their early season form and faded away towards the end of the group stage.

Standout players

Charles Orlu, Lasantha Nuwan

Charles Orlu scored many of the goals that secured points for the Lions whilst Lasantha Nuwan put in some great defensive shifts and made ThePapare.com team of the week on several occasions.

Best performances

2-2 vs Crystal Palace

Only a last minute penalty for Crystal Palace denied them what would have been a brilliant win over their hill-country rivals.

Group 8th with 7 points (2W 4L 1D), relegated. Seven points is a decent return from their group stage campaign and it would have been enough to stay up in Group B. Unfortunately they were relegated but stunned the league with a 1-0 win at the Vernon Fernando over Blue Star, bringing to end a long undefeated streak at the venue for their hosts.

Standout players

Ochuko Frank

Best performances

1-0 vs Blue Star

After scoring an early goal they defended their hearts out to secure a memorable win. Their heroics nearly cost Blue Star a place in the Super 8s and help set up a thrilling final week of football.

Group 9th with 0 points (8L). The less said about their season the better as they conceded 33 goals throughout the campaign and failed to register even a single point. Have a long road ahead to get back to the top flight.