Wounded CR to meet traditional rivals Havelocks

Buwanka Udangamuwa of Kandy SC fends off Kevin Dixon of CR & FC

By Shamseer Jaleel

CR & FC, after their defeat at the hands of defending champions Kandy SC, will host their traditional rivals Havelocks SC at Longdon Place. 

Meanwhile, Kandy will hold a clear edge when they confront CH & FC at Nittawela.

Army and Navy out for supremacy

Army SC will be confident when they meet the sailors at Ratmalana on 7 December. Army, after last week’s win against CH & FC, will be full of confidence meeting the sailors. Army have so far lost to Havelocks and Kandy. Meanwhile, the sailors lost to CR & FC and Havelocks, winning against Police and Air Force.

Navy are led by Thilina Weerasinghe but he is yet to find his kicking peak. He is capable of toppling any side with his ample talent. This could be the game he returns to his peak. Mohamed Abzaal, Buddima Piyaratne and Adeesha Weeratunga are cracking players. They are coached by Mothilal Jayathilake.

Meanwhile, the soldiers are led by Upul Abeyratne and well supported by Mohamed Rizvi, Manoj Wickramarachchi and Dikkumbura are men of steel. Gayan Salinda’s kicks will be vital to narrow the gap. Army are coached by Nihal Viper Gunaratne Jr. On form it will be a close battle between the two forces with neither of them holding the edge in this vital encounter. 

The referees may boycott officiating at Ratmalana due to one of the assistant referees being assaulted in last week’s encounter between Air Force and Navy. The referee for the game will be Ishanka Abeykoon.

CR & FC and Havelocks will clash at Longdon Place in a must-win game for both sides.

At present Havelocks are in second position while CR & FC dropped down to third after their defeat to Kandy SC last weekend in Kandy.

CR & FC are led by Kavindu Perera, who had a grand outing. He has led the team from the front. He is well supported by Kevin Dixon, Omalka Gunaratne, Reeza Rafaideen and Tharinda Ratwatte. However, Tharinda’s kicking was not as accurate as expected in the Kandy outing. In forwards play Joel Perera stood out for the Longdon Place club. Meanwhile, the park club is led by former Isipathana player Niroshan Fernando. They have lived up to their high standards so far this season, winning all four of their matches so far in the league. 

They lost out many players to other Colombo clubs but still their young blood under Sanath Martis delivered good results for their loyal supporters. Sharo Fernando, Lasindu Karunathilake, Prince Chamara and Reza Mubarak will be playing vital roles this weekend. The game will be refereed by Priyantha Gunaratne.  

Both teams out for their maiden win

Both Police SC and Air Force SC will be all out to register their first win this season when they meet at Police Park not only to win but also to avoid dropping to last position in the league. The cops are led by Chanaka Udara, with ample support coming from Vageesha Weerasinghe, Romesh Arachige and Rasitha Silva. 

Meanwhile, the Airmen too will be under pressure to perform well away at Police Park. They are led by Lahiru Udayange with support coming in from Ithisham Jaleel, Ramadas Ramesh, Jehan Seelagama and Nuwan Randima. The cops are playing well and have only lost close games. They are expected to pull this off and avoid finishing in last position. The referee for the encounter will be Dinka Peiris.

Kandy holds clear edge over CH

Unbeaten Kandy SC will be up against the formidable CH & FC outfit at Nittawela this weekend. Kandy, after their magnificent win over the red shirts last weekend, are expected to pull this one off as well. Going according to form and fitness, the upcountry lads are a yard faster than the CH & FC outfit who have already been beaten in no less than three games. 

Their fitness is a major worry for team management. Individually there are some big names such as Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Sudharshana Muthuthanthri, Hirantha Perera, Lee Keegale, Niroshan Perera and Samuel Maduwantha. Local boy Maduwantha’s kicking will be vital in order to put pressure on the home team.Meanwhile, Kandy, led by Richard Dharmapala, who is supported by Dhanushka Ranjan, Roshan Weeraratne, Heshan Kalhara, Shehan Pathirana and Yakoob Ali. Their fullback Thilina Wijesinghe is in peak form this season. 

He is safe in his position, giving much-needed territorial advantage to Kandy and putting the pressure on the visiting teams. On form, Kandy should win this encounter and continue their unbeaten run in the league. The referee for the match is P. Weeranga.