Sri Lanka takes on Pakistan in Opener

KARACHI, Sri Lanka will take on the hosts Pakistan in the 'curtain- raiser' of the eight-nation 4th South Asian Soccer Championship match at the People's playgrounds, in Karachi today. The kick off is at 7.00 p.m local time.

Sri Lanka has been drawn in group 'A' along with Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan. Playing under group 'B' are India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Maldives will take on Afghanistan in the opening group 'B' match.

Leading Sri Lanka at the South Asian football extravaganza will be experienced Dudley Stainwall. Sri Lanka team is a blend of experience and youth and are determined to make their presence felt.

Sri Lanka's other group matches will be against Maldives on December 9 and Afghanistan on December 11.

The eight teams will play on a semi-league basis in the preliminary round. The top two in each group will qualify to play in the semifinals to be played on December 14 with the final scheduled for December 17.

Sri Lanka team (from): Dudley Stainwall, S.D. Tillakaratne, M.A.M. Azwer, Nalin Nandakumara, K. Fuad, E.B. Channa, B.A.R. Jayavilal, Christine Fernando, Isuru Perera, M.N.M. Izzedeen, M.M. Raum, Sanjaya Pradeep Kumara, Dhammika Ratnayake, Tharusha Rangana, Nazar Hameed, Niroshaneysekera, Dumindu Hettiarachchi, G.P.C. Karunaratne, Priyantha Dayawansa, Kasun Jayasuriya, Clement de Silva (Manager), Lakshman Hewapanna (Team official), Sampath Perera (coach), Lalith Weerasinghe (Asst. coach), Kumara Silva (physio), Dr. Manil Fernando (Team doctor).