Two mouthwatering encounters steeped in traditional rivalry will light up the quarter finals of the 2016 Cargills Food City FA Cup at the Race Course International Stadium on the 14th & 15th of May.
Renown SC will take on cross-town rivals Java Lane SC in the 2nd kick-off on the 14th while 21 time FA Cup champions Saunders SC will clash against two time finalists Blue Star SC on the 15th at 5.00pm.
The other two encounters will be between defending FA Cup champions, Colombo FC and the unheralded Hillary SC from Mannar with the two forces, Army SC v Air Force SC clashing in the early kick-off on Sunday.
Colombo FC v Hillary SC – Quarter Final 1 (14th May 3.00pm)
The reigning FA Cup Champions, Colombo FC will face a tricky opposition in the little known Hillary SC from Mannar.
Road to FA Cup Round of 32 – 8 Qualified Teams
Hillary SC are having a dream campaign, surprising all by making it to the last 8. They started from Round One and got a walkover from the Up-Country Lions in the Round of Last 32 while creating the biggest upset by defeating Champions League side Super Sun SC 3-1 even after going down to 10 men.
Hillary stun Super Sun; Renown comeback crush New Youngs
They have only conceded two goals while racking up 14 goals in the process.
1st Round – Jolly Boys SC 0 – 2 Hilary SC
2nd Round – Jayanthi Nagar SC 0 – 4 Hilary SC
3rd Round – Ilanthalir SC (Kilinochchi) 0 – 2 Hilary SC
4th Round – Hilary SC 2 – 0 A’puram St.Anthony’s SC
6th Round – Hilary SC 1 (4) – 1 (2) Olympics SC
7th Round – Hillary SC 3-0 Up-Country Lions SC – won 3-0 (W/O)
Colombo FC will be buoyed by the return of their enigmatic winger and playmaker Bodrie Dimitri. Without him, Colombo FC struggled against Red Star SC in the Round of Last 32 and were lucky to win 2-1. However with the return of Dimitri in the Pre-Quarters they hammered 7 goals past Jet Liners SC with Dimitri scoring a hat-trick.
Dimitri hat-trick steers Colombo FC to last 8
On paper Colombo FC have the experience and big game mentality and are expected to win but the battle hardened Mannar boys will be sure to throw the kitchen sink at their opponents.
WATCH LIVE: Colombo FC v Hillary SC
Renown SC v Java Lane SC – Quarter Final 2 (14th May 5.00pm)
A rivalry of epic proportions between the best of friends outside the field throughout the years.
Some of the finest young footballers in the country who are in the Sri Lanka squad and the ones who are vying for the honour will be on display in this encounter.
Late goal ensures Java Lane overcome Matara City
Java Lane thumped Thihariya Youth 4-1 while Renown got a walkover in their respective Round of last 32. In the Pre-Quarter finals a late goal gave Java Lane a 1-0 win against Matara City while Renown stormed through in the second half to win 3-1 after being down 1-0 at half time against New Youngs.
Renown will have current Sri Lanka U23 captain Mohamed Rifnaz in midfield alongside Mohamed Fazal and the veteran former Sri Lanka player Fazul Rahuman. When on song Renown are a hard team to beat and a treat to watch with the free flowing football they play.
Hillary stun Super Sun; Renown comeback crush New Youngs
Java Lane’s exciting U19 talents Naveen Jude, Afam Akram and Mohamed Shabeer, have been given the starting role to lead the attack which they have done with brilliance in the past few matches. A more defensive oriented Java Lane side will be looking to break Renown on the counter attack with the speedy wingers.
WATCH LIVE: Renown SC vs Java Lane SC
Army SC v Air Force SC – Quarter Final 3 (15th May 3.00pm)
The two Forces collide in what has been another fiercely contested rivalry through the years.
Army maul lackluster Brilliant SC to advance to quarters
Army were 2014 FA Cup Champions while they were beaten in the semi-final by eventual champs Colombo FC in 2015. After a lackluster 1-0 win against Nandimithra in the last 32 Round, Army got back to their ruthless best, thumping 12 goals past Brilliant SC in the pre-quarter final.
Air Force won 4-3 on penalties against Negombo Youth and were lucky to be in the quarter final after being defeated by Solid SC in the pre-quarter final. Solid defeated Air Force 2-1 but a later investigation found that the victors had fielded an ineligible player.
Solid’s Afis found ineligible; Air Force awarded the win
However, Air Force has had a good record against Army and the Soldiers will be wary of the Air-men, who are once again guided by the defensive mastermind and former Sri Lanka captain Sampath Perera.
WATCH LIVE: SL Army SC vs Air Force SC
Saunders SC v Blue Star SC – Quarter Final 4 (15th may 5.00pm)
FA Cup finalists in the past 2 years, Blue Star SC and 21 time FA Cup Champs Saunders SC will conclude the quarter finals with what could be a high intensity game.
Dominant Saunders breeze past Pelicans into quarters
Saunders haven’t had the best of decades but after winning the Mayor’s Cup late last year they have been on the rise in search of past glory. They are led by rising youth stars Rasik Rishad and Suntharaj Niresh. Both of them represented the Sri Lanka U19 side last year and will be ably backed up by former Sri Lanka caps Chrishantha Abeysekara, Sanoj Sameera, Dumidu Hettiarachchi and Rohana Ruwanthilaka.
Saunders had an almighty scare against Comrades SC in the last 32 round but finally prevailed 5-4 on penalties while in the pre-quarter final they comfortably defeated Pelicans SC 3-0.
Police SC fails to breach Blue Star wall
Blue Star SC are still stinging from not being able to win the coveted trophy twice after being so close. The giants from Kalutara will have a tough task ahead of them but will undoubtedly be cheered on by the fans who will make their way to the Race Course Stadium from Kalutara.
