Army Keen for Strong Finish

Army Sports Club who is having a mixed season will look to finish the season on a high note according to their head coach Ronnie Ibrahim.

The Soldiers were well placed at fourth in the points table following a gutsy draw against CH and FC but, defeats at the hands of Air Force Sports Club and Navy Sports Club have seen then dropping down the ladder considerably.

"Our biggest issue is that most of our players haven't played rugby at school level but it's amazing to see the progress they have made and as a coach it's very satisfying to see that. In terms of results, it has not gone the way we wanted because of that lack of experience but as when this team has some experience they will be one of the most dangerous teams in the competition," the head coach Ibrahim told Daily Mirror.

Army's opening game against Kandy Sports Club was a tough game for the Soldiers but the head coach believes that was one of their best efforts against arguably the best team in the tournament from which they have learned a lot.

"If someone only look at the result against Kandy they'd probably say we were outplayed but honestly it was one of our best performances for me because they boys did really well and we took a lot out of that game and the team morale was good as well. I think the boys took the confidence into the Police game in the following week and made most of it," he said.

In the recent past Army Sports Club has produced some national players including the sevens sensation Sudaraka Dikkumbura and the head coach expects there would be more in the coming years.

"I am very happy for Dikkumbura because he is a quality player but there are few more players who should be playing for Sri Lanka. Lock Nalaka Maduranga for instance is a brilliant player and our front rowers are also very good but the biggest surprise is why our centre Lasantha Kumara is not considered for sevens rugby because this boy can be really dangerous and would be a great fit for the national sevens team," he said.

-Army SC Squad 2023

1. Mahesh Weerasinghe (C)

2. Danuka Vijethilaka (VC)

3. Sudaraka Dikkubura

4. Ashan Bandara

5. Chamath Fernando

6. Isuru Medagedara

7. Mohamad Akram

8. Nalaka Maduranga

9. Nalan Deshappriya

10. Sameera Dushan

11. Thirusha Adhikaram

12. Ronny Ibrahim (Head Coach)

13. Mahesh Perera (Asst. Coach)

14. Rashel Mudalige (Trainer)

15. Chamara Nanayakkara (Manager)

16. Sampath Chanaka (Physio)

17. Manoj Maduranga (Physio)