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by Bernard Perera

Sri Lankan soccerites will confront the strong Vietnamese today at the Sugathadasa stadium with the kick-off scheduled for 7 p.m. Lankan soccerites who need a lot of international exposure are sure to give of their best in this game. The last time Lankans played an international was way back in April against Maldives and previously against Pakistan in January.

This three-match series against Vietnam will give the Lankans a lot of confidence just a month before the SAARC Gold Cup in January.

The Lankans led by defender Dudley Steinwall will have to go flat out if they are to make an impact in today's game. Vietnam is ranked above Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka should prove that they are well prepared to face tough teams from the Asian region. To prove this factor the Lankans have got the opportunity and this series' result could be a morale booster for the forthcoming championship in Bangladesh in January.

With Brazilian Marcos Ferreira as head coach and Sampath Perera former Sri Lanka soccerite as national coach who assists the head coach, they have done a lot of hard work during the past few months. These two have brought a few new faces to the soccer arena touring outstations in search of new talent. Veteran former national goal-keeper Lalith Weerasinghe assists the coaches in the part of goal-keeping.

Vietnam too is coached by a foreign coach from Portugal, Calisto. He receives the assistance from three Vietnam coaches who are familiar with their players on home soil. This is an advantage to the coach who is able to get to the players without any undue problems. Vietnamese are sure to give of their best in this game. Minister of Trade and Consumer Affairs Ravi Karunanayake will be the chief guest for today's game.

Students and youth will be allowed free of charge for all three games to be played at the Sugathadasa stadium.

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