Navy SC has long been a powerhouse in the top flight of Sri Lankan football over the years.
The team has always had a focus on nurturing local talent and has produced many national players who have gone on to lead the National team at various points.
A team that is consistent, if not spectacular, they have made it to the Dialog Champions League Super 8 stage in both of their two previous campaigns.
Quick Facts
Home Ground – Navy Base Grounds, Welisara
Club Captain – Krishantha Perera
Coach – Dhammika Athukorale
2015 Campaign
Navy SC got off to a great start to the DCL in 2015, with a 2-0 loss away at Java Lane being the only blemish in their early season form and they looked well set to qualify in second place in Group B.
However a shock 1-0 defeat to minnows Matara City followed by a 5-0 hiding at home by New Youngs resulted in them carrying forward no bonus points into the Super 8 round and zero momentum to go with it.
They struggled to beat the big clubs in the Super 8 stage but had a respectable tally of 9 points, losing only to Army (4-1) and Renown in a 5-4 blockbuster in the final game week. They ended up in 6th place in the final Super 8 standings.
Coach Dhammika Athukorale, summing up their campaign, had this to say;
“The losses in the last two games going into the Super 8 stage last year affected us and were one of the reasons we ended up in 6th place.”
2016 Campaign
Navy SC endured a tough start to the 2016 season after being unceremoniously dumped out of the FA Cup in the Round of 32 by New Youngs SC in a game that went down to penalties.
Key forward David Osagie left them between seasons and Nalaka Roshan was shifted to a role further up field to replace him. Their squad does not have many new names from the previous season, with experience being their biggest strength.
Despite suffering heavy defeats against New Youngs (3-1) and Air Force (4-1), they qualified in 3rd place from Group B with 4 wins and 2 draws from their remaining games.
“We have changed a few players’ positions this year, and we played really well in our last two games of the group stage especially against Renown who we beat and this has given us some belief. Our three national players have played well for us along with Pradeep Perera who came into midfield for us,” commented coach Athukorale.
Key Players
Chalana Chameera – Subash Madhushan – Chathuranga Sanjeewa – Krishantha Perera
Chalana Chameera has been a revelation since being moved into a wing back role with his pace going forward and his defensive work rate.
Subash Madhushan has been a rock at the back for Navy and he will be a key figure in the games to come for both club and country. A no-nonsense defender, he does have the ability to pick out a player with his long range distribution.
At the other end of the field Chathuranga Sanjeewa has been a lively presence in an attacking midfield role whilst skipper Krishantha Perera has been consistent as ever on the flank, providing good crosses and the odd goal for the Sailors.
Super 8 expectations
Despite the wealth of experience that Navy possess, the Super 8 stage will likely prove to be a tough competition for them as they will lack the physical edge that foreign players in many of the clubs provide as well as the pace and trickery that is lacking in their squad when compared to the other teams in the competition.
Their defence is likely to be tested by the more pacey forwards of the league as they struggled against the likes of Air Force and New Youngs in the group stages.
Offensively, they should be able to put teams under pressure with their possession-based style of play and Chathuranga Sanjeewa will be key in this regard.
As a whole Navy are likely to register a mid-table finish in this stage, similar to their performance last year. Their squad has some of Sri Lankan footballs big names in recent past, but is lacking in some areas which may prove to be costly.
Squad 2016/17
