Lankan football has gained visibly
“Sri Lanka gained a fine start at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup Tournament 2018,” said Rummy Paceer Ali, National Football Coach told the Sunday Times.
“We have now made arrangements to take it forward step by step. We hope to end it at the SAFF Championships in 2020 in Pakistan.
“Prior to that in 2019 (March 9 to 18) is the South Asian Games where there is an under 23 football tournament. We will start training for the competition from October 1 itself.
“Now it is less than seven months since I have taken charge of the national team. At that time Sri Lanka football was in the doldrums. At that time I said that the difference is akin to the sky and the earth. According to FIFA World Rankings Sri Lanka was in 200th position.
“At that time my intention was to reduce the FIFA Rankings, one by one. I have reduced it by a single digit. The Ranking is 199. During that time we managed to draw with Lithuania and at the SAFF drew nil all with champions Maldives in the first round. That was a big difference in Sri Lanka football, as I see it.
“I take it as a good start. In Bangladesh at the Sri Lanka vs Maldives game, Sri Lanka scored a goal but the referees disallowed it. Everyone who knew the game said that it was not an outside goal but a genuine one.
“If we had toppled Maldives we would have obtained a big difference.
“Now Sri Lanka plays football by technique. We are progressing towards attacking football. I am planning to develop an attacking side. It is easy to fall but to get up is extremely difficult. We are now getting up by falling repeatedly. The discipline amongst the team is extremely good.
The reason for repeatedly falling is due to lack of experience. During the last two months Sri Lanka toured Japan and South Korea and obtained good match experience. Now the players know how to face pressure.
“I came on a two year contract. Whether it will be extended or curtailed is in the hands of the Sri Lanka Football Federation,. Before I go I will make a difference to Sri Lanka football. As it is I have done it.
“It is the long term development plan that matters, not the short term, ” concluded Rummy Paceer Ali,