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by Bernard Perera

The Asian Football Confederation Champions League 2002/2003 commences today at Sugathadasa Stadium when Sri Lanka Air Force take on New Radiant Football Club from Maldives. This tournament replaces the former Asian Cup Championship, Asian Cup Winner Cup and the Asian Super Cup conducted by the AFC. The Championship has been modelled to be staged as the champions league in Europe. These details were disclosed at a press briefing by J. S. N. Anandarajah, Senior Vice President of Football Federation of Sri Lanka at Football House, last Friday.

He said this tournament paves the way for many clubs to compete at Asian level, which also carries large amounts of finances for competing teams from the round one onwards. In the first round games the competing teams are to receive 10,000 US dollars, second round 15,000. From the quarter final stage it will to 30,000 US $ and semi finalists are to be awarded with 100,000 US $. They will have the opportunity of carrying away a total of 500,000 dollars while the runners-up are to receive a purse of 300,000.

Speaking further he said, Saunders SC were the Premier League Champions last year and the FFSL selected them to participate in this tournament.

Saunders had played in many times in the former tourneys Asian Cup Winners Cup ad Asian Club Championships. Saunders face this game with lot of experience, he said. Speaking on Air Force team he said FFSL called on them to play though they were placed third as the second placed team from Negombo which was awarded last years tournament failed to play in that. Twenty nine (29) countries are billed to compete in this newly formatted championships.

Air Force SC's Secretary Nandana Abeyratne said that they are capable of overcoming New Radiant SC. He said our players' fitness is the vital point. Our military training has put them in good shape. Our team is a young side and they will go all out to make a match of it. With three national players in the side I am confident that this side come with a victory for us. Tomorrow Saunder SC will take on Mohun Bagan from India in the second game here in Sri Lanka at the same venue.

If Sri Lanka Air Force wins the first leg will face Shimizu S. Pulse of Japan, while Saunders will play against Valencia, of Maldives if they come out victorious in the first leg against Mohun Bagan on 22 and 23 October respectively.

Sri Lanka Air Force team Rafi M.W.M. - G/K, Wijesena R.A.S.L. - Defender, Steinwall C.N. - Mid Field, Dewasagayam R. - Mid Field, Priyantha W.D.N. - Mid Field, Dayawansa P.V.S.P. - G/K, Roomy M.H. - Defender, Rahuman R.K. - Defender, Hanifa J.M. - Defender, Susantha T.H. - Attacker, Raheem R.T.G. - Mid Fielder, Raheem R.T.I. - Defender, Rizvi M.M.M. - Attacker, Reginold J.B.M. - Mid Fielder, Sanjeewa L. - Attacker, Fernandno K.C.P.K. - Attacker, Prashad D.A.S. - Mid Fielder, Hameed M.I. - Defender.

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