Police could penetrate Kandy sans Marija
Police SC will obviously be talking up their chances of upsetting a Fazil Marija-less Kandy SC side as they venture to Nittawela to take on the champions today.
Any club Side in Sri Lanka will gladly give an arm and a leg to have Fazil Marija in their team. Kandy SC has been fortunate in that despite the temptations (and there must have been some!), Marija has remained faithful to his first club. However, his injury in Kandy’s second round game against Air Force has opened a small window of opportunity for Police.
Kandy skipper and playmaker Fazil Marija will be out of action for four weeks as Police sniff a chance to win their second round game today in Nittawela - File pic
It cannot be denied that his absence imbues the opposition with some hope, for a team without him is not quite the same as one that has him in it. It was pretty plain in those close matches between the CR and FC and Havelocks SC that Marija’s exploits in those last few minutes did the trick.
Talent-wise, Kandy’s cupboard is well-stocked and over flowing. Arshad Jamaldeen, who may replace him, played in the No.10 jersey at the start of the season. There is also Nigel Ratwatte who could fit in. But having done a good job in the last line of defence, the club’s think-tank may be wary of switching him around.
Kandy’s thrilling outsides, one feels, can compensate for the loss. Vishvamitra Jayasinghe, having achieved a hat-trick in the last game, is running red-hat at the moment. Lavanga Perera is an excellent finisher. Richard Dharmapala having sat out the Air Force game must be waiting for the red.
The third row looks good after the inclusion of Shehan Pathirana, Udangamuwa plays hard and likes to crash through. Suhiru Anthony has been among the tries on a regular basis. All in all, Kandy is a complete side with a galaxy of talent at their common, as well as a load of national players, the champions are on a roll at the moment and seem to brook no stopping.
Even since the Police big wigs used the axe and chopped off a few players, the team has been playing with more commitment. Last week’s 29-17 defeat of the minnows, the CH and FC, does not bode well for the Police, however. The opposition being so little, much more should have been achieved. This is another game and another place.
Mohamed Sheriff, a one-time Kandy player, is at the heart of most moves by the Police outsides. Lying deep as full back Sheriff suddenly bursts through and opens up the defence. For sure, Kandy will be ready for him. A back four of Sudam Parinda, Reeza Rafaideen, Chula Susantha and Mushin Faleel is not a bad one.
Fly half Rehan Weerakoon has been playing well and strikes a god balance between passing and kicking. Mohamed Abzal, the linkman, combines well with his fly half. In addition, he’s very good in loose play. Joel Perera and Shawket Laheer have done their part as flankers. Sharo Fernando has rejoined the ranks after his suspension. All in all, the Police pack is a fighting force.
One fails to see a banana-skin here on which Kandy can slip. Further, they have to maintain that five point lead and keep one step ahead of the Havies. But Police will give the Kandy lads a good run. Unlike in previous years, with their down thrown open to outsides, the Police team is fairly strong. It is still a far cry from the great Police teams of the past, through.