Defender Rohana Ruwantilleke has retained the captaincy of the Sri Lanka national football team for the forthcoming tour to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates where they will undergo training and play friendly matches.
This tour has been arranged from November 12 to 22 as preparation in view for the forthcoming South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship which will be held in Delhi, India.
Experienced Ruwantilleke who represents Saunders Sports Club in the domestic circuit will have the services of other key players in the likes of Mohamed Izzadeen, Bandara Warakagoda, Mohamed Branudeen, Nadeeka Pushpakumara, Chathura Gunaratne and solid custodian Manjula Fernando. Much will depend on midfielder Izzadeen who has been in great form and his team mate at SL Army SC, Warakagoda is also a solid defender.
The experienced duo already has ample knowledge about each others’ styles is expected to gain more exposure in Dubai before Sri Lanka take off to India.
Left-footer Branudeen, nicknamed the ‘Soldier from Java Lane is a well experienced player in the side and will don the defence. Mid-fielder Pushpakumara who represents Police SC is another experienced player who is expected to peak alongside Izzadeen and Gunaratne who is the place kicker of the side. Gunaratne represents Renown SC in the local tournaments. Apart from Fernando of Blue Star, the side includes two goalkeepers, Asanka Viraj from Sounders and Sujan Perera from Kalutara Park. The remaining players in the side are fine performers in the domestic circuit.
Korean national Jang Jung is the head coach of the 20-man Sri Lanka football side while D. Chandrasiri and Thushara Sampath are his assistants. The same side will represent Sri Lanka in the SAFF Championship which is scheduled from December 2 to 11 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India. Sri Lanka will play in the Group ‘A’ along with the five-time title winners India, Afghanistan and Bhutan. Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan are the four teams in the Group ‘B’. Sri Lanka is expected to return on November 23 from Dubai before leaving for India.
The Sri Lanka football squad:
Defenders: Rohana Ruwanthilake (Captain/Saunders), Bandara Warakagoda (Army SC), Suranda Bandara (Don Bosco), Mohamed Branudeen (Java Lane), K.C.K. Kulasekara (Air Force SC), Dhanushka Wijesiri (Army SC), Chameera Krishantha (Navy SC). Midfielders: Nadeeka Pushpakumara (Police SC), Thejan Fernando (Don Bosco), Chathura Gunaratne (Renown), S.M.M. Nazar (Air Force SC), Tuan Rizni (Renown), Mohamed Izzadeen (Army SC).
Forwards: S. Sanjeewa (Air Force SC), Nagoor Meera (Java Lane), Mohamed Zain (Renown), Nipuna Bandara (Don Bosco).
Goalkeepers: Manjula Fernando (Blue Star), Asanka Viraj (Saunders), Sujan Perera (Kalutara Park)
Officials: Jang Jung (Head Coach), D. Chandrasiri (Coach), Thushara Sampath (Asst. Coach), Wasantha Wickremasinghe (Manager), Kumara Silva (Masseur). -NA |
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