Kandy out to continue winning streak; Ranjan returns after two years
Defending league champions, Kandy Sports Club will be all out to win their fourth encounter in tandem when they face Navy Sports Club in their last first round home game at Nittawela today. The kickoff is scheduled at 4.00pm.
Kandy got the better of Army SC in their opening encounter then travelled to Longdon Place to beat CR&FC in their second outing. Their third game was against Air Force, which was a near disaster at home when they put up a pathetic display to edge the visitors out 24-18.
But in today’s encounter Kandy will be at their best. Led by former Trinity hooker Damith Dissanayake, they have a young and mobile forwards set. Thilina Bandara, Tharindu Chathuranga, Wawela Panditha are their star acts. Lasith Atthanagoda looks a doubtful starter for this game nursing an injury. Meanwhile their experienced linkman, Srinath Sooriyabandara, will be able to feed the hungry three-quarter line. Nigel Ratwatte, Tarinda Ratwatte, Dinal Ekanayake, Lavanga Perera, Kavindu Perera and Suranga Tennakoon are in good shape. Former Peterite and national player, Dhanushka Ranjan is expected to return to the side in the starting lineup. If the Sailors fail to put a full stop to Kandy’s speedy three-quarter line, they could be in danger. The outfit is coached by Fazil Marija.
The Navy outfit is led by Harsha Maduranga who operates from the base. They only were able to beat the Cops in their first three outings. Musheen Faleel, Thilina Weerasinghe and Adeesha Weerathunge are very good players who could impress for the visitors. The territory kicking and kick at goal of Isuru Konghawatte and Thilina Weerasinghe will be vital for the Sailors to reduce the deficit and get on to attacking ways. The team is coached by former Kandy SC star player Saliya Kumara, who will surely make use of his knowledge for the advantage of the Sailors.
| Teams | |
| Kandy SC:Malith Wijesundera, Damith Dissanayake (Capt), Milan Weerasinghe, Thilina Bandara, Bawantha Dharmapala, Tharindu Charhuranga, Chathura Soysa, Wawela Panditha, Srinarth Sooriyabandara, Nigel Ratwatte, Dinal Ekanayake, Tharinda Ratwatte, Dhanuska Ranjan, Lavanga Perera, Kavindu Perera, Suranga Tennekoon, Uchitha Jayasooriya, Dhanushka Ranjan, Wajid Fawmy, Oshan Perera, Heshan JansonNavy SC: Sudeera Sankalpa, Mahesh Madusanka, Charith Silva, Anuahka Ramesh, Nirosh Perera, Viraj Kolombirachchi, Dananjaya Seniviratne, Janith Laksara, Harsha Maduranga (Capt), Dinesh de Silva, Lahiru Herath, Musheen Faleel, Imash Priyadharshana, Thanuja Malimbada, Thilina Weerasinghe, Lakmal Ranaweera, Deshan Vimukthi, Adeesha Weeratunge, Radeesha Senavirathne, Kavishka Gayashan, Eranga de Silva, Isuru Konawaththa and Gayan Anurudda |