LACK OF FOREIGN PLAYERS BROUGHT LOCAL PLAYERS’ TALENTS TO THE FORE
FA Cup winning team captain Sajith Kumara says….
However there is talent in a team, a match cannot be won if there is no cooperation in the side. The Army team had individual performances, they received the necessary facilities and they played with supreme confidence. That is why Sri Lanka Army were able to win the Vantage FA Cup 2018 for the third successive year”. This was stated by Army skipper Sajith Kumara Mendis to the Daily Mirror after the game.
This is the sixth occasion that the Army team bagged the F A Cup defeating Saunders SC 4-2.
Sri Lanka Army won the FA Cup for the first time in 1960/61 defeating Ratnam. In 2011 Sri Lanka Army beat Don Bosco SC Negombo 2-0. In 2013/24 Army beat Blue Star SC 2-0. In 2015/16 Army beat Renown SC 3-1 and in2016/2017 Army drubbed Java Lane 5-1.
Team captain Sajith Kumara Mendis has been representing Army since 2011. In 2012 he was in the National Youth team (Under 23). From 2013 he has been representing the Sri Lanka National team.
He came into football via BTS College Dadella, Galle. Continuing he said, “From 2016 foreign players has been debarred from taking part in the FA Cup. This is a good decision because of this the local players have been able to perform well.
“Prior to this it was the foreign players who shone and was always in the forefront.
“We had several chances to win the FA Vantage Cup. That is because we had several good players. Saunders too had several outstanding players, but after a tough game Slarmy was able to emerge winners.
“Sri Lanka Army’s next premier target is to win the Dialog Champions League. Defenders SC, who represent the Army in the Dialog Champions League, has played three games and are unbeaten. Winning two and drawing a one.
Saunders skipper Chamika Eranga and Assistant Coach Manjula Sirisena said that Saunders are 100 years old this year and they had all hopes of winning the FA Cup but unfortunately we were unable to achieve it.
“We missed two goal chances and the hopes were had on some of our reliable players did not materialise. Nevertheless we gave a good performance to spectators.” concluded Chamika Eranga and Manjula Sirisena.
In the FA Cup history Saunders has won the FA Cup on 15 occasions.
At the game between Army and Saunders Army were leading 2-1 in the first half. Mohammed Ishadeen banged in two goals for Saunders in the 16th minute in the 17th and 85th minutes.
Jesuraj Bernard (27th minute) and Kasunpradeep (in the 90 Plus 5. The Saunders goal was netted by Sunderaraj Niresh in the 34th minute and Chamod Dilshan in the 90 Plus 3.
The Golden Boot Award was handed over to Mohammed Ishadeen, who scored eight goals in the tournament.
The Most Valuable Player Award went to Anuruddha Warakagoda and the Golden Glove Award went to Mohammed Luthifi. All three players are Army SC players.
The Sri Lanka Army Team: G. Eranga Priyashantha , M.N.M. Ishadeen, Y.L. Jayathunga, H.D. Madushan De Silva , H.R.A. Thenuwara , R. Jesuraj Barnad , K.S. Sankalpa Dayawansha, J.T. Lakmal, S.M.U. Keerthi Kumara, H.H.D.S.C. Kurukuladiththa, R.N.A.M.A.B. Warakagoda,
M.O.S.P. Wijesuriya, H.M. Tharaka Sadaruwan, M.A. Asikoor Rahuman, K.M. Niroshan Pathirane, Roshan Appuhami, L.C. Sajith Kumara, W.H.U.R.S. Rajawasam, G.B.I. Sampath Kumara, M.H. Mohammed Lutifi, G.T.G. Ajith Kumara, K.P. Kasun Pradeep, H.dananjaya Perusinghe, M.N. Jeewantha Fernando, R.A.N. Chathuranga Perera, W.a.h.navodya Wijesinghe, G.H. Subashana Fernando, W.C. Nadeshan Fernando, P. Thiruna Senanayake.