Sanka Danushka, Mohamed Issadeen and Dumidu Hettiarachchi are back in the National squad along with a couple of promising youngsters for the upcoming SAFF Gold Cup, in India.
Past national representatives Danushka, Issadeen and Hettiarachchi have all been rewarded for their good form shown in the recently concluded Dialog Champions League and will add much needed experience to the vastly inexperienced squad where the average age is 24.
Issadeen who was overlooked for the national side in the last two years scored 13 goals in 17 matches for Army SC in the Dialog Champions League. He was the second highest goal scorer of the tournament behind Crystal Palace’s Issac Aba.
Incidentally this was the first time in four seasons that the prolific goal scorer Issadeen has not won the golden boot award. He has been a goal scoring machine in the past and his prowess will be a refreshing addition for the national side who has struggled to score in recent times.
Sanka Danushka, who won the Golden Ball award in the Dialog Champions League will add much needed creativity and control to the midfield.
Danushka has been in excellent form throughout the tournament especially in the Super 8 Stage creating chances at will for Army and scoring goals at vital moments. His international experience and superior fitness level will be key when up against stronger oppositions.
The third player who has been given another opportunity with the National squad is Saunders SC’s Dumidu Hettiarachchi.
Though Saunders narrowly missed out on making it to the Super 8 Stage, it was largely due to the lack of scoring. Saunders defensive record has been good, conceding only 10 goals in the ten matches with Hettiarachchi playing as a central defender.
The robust centre-back will be a key figure amongst the inexperienced back four and his crunching tackles and no-nonsense defending will add venom to the defense.
The youngsters who has been called for duty is former National Youth player Chalana Chameera, Sri Lanka U19 striker Shaheel Azar, Kalutara Park goalkeeper Supun Fernando and Solid SC’s Edison Figurado.
Chameera too has been in excellent form scoring goals for Navy SC and has the ability to play as a central striker apart from playing in his preferred left-midfield position.
Shaheel Azar who has been taught under Sri Lanka great Sumith Walpola has a lethal left foot and his abundance of energy mixed with the experience of Issadeen will prove to be an interesting combination.
Though Kalutara Park was relegated to Division I, it was the performances of Supun Fernando that had caught the eye of the selectors. Park conceded 26 goals but it would have double that amount if not for the brilliance of Fernando.
Kalutara Park has a habit of producing national goalkeepers including former national cap Manjula Fernando and current Sri Lanka No.1 Sujan Perera.
Edison Figurado who was a vital cog in the 2014 Dialog Champions League triumph of Solid SC has been knocking on the national team for some time. Edison becomes the second player from the war torn north to be included in the squad. The first being his Solid SC midfield partner Gnanaruban Vinoth.
The strong midfielder is a good ball player who has a knack of scoring goals, some which turns out to be audacious.
