Lankan soccerites leave for New Delhi
Bernard PERERA
The Sri Lanka National Soccer Team led by Chathura Maduranga will
leave the shores for New Delhi to compete in the ONGC Nehru Cup
International Tournament to be held from August 19 to 31.
|
Seated left to right: Tharusha Rangana, R.T.G. Raheem,
Sanjaya Pradeep Kumara, E.B. Channa, Chathura Maduranga
(Captain), D. Jude S. Karunaratne (Goalkeeper Trainer),
Sampath Perera (Head Coach), Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris
(Manager), Sumith Walpola (Trainer), S.N.P.K. Silva
(Masseur), M. Asmeer, Raumy Mohideen, R.M.J.D. Rathnayake,
M.N.M. Issadeen, B.A.R. Jayawilal.
Standing left to right: A.G.S.B. Bandara (Goalkeeper), S.
Satheeswaran, Lahiru Tharaka Silva, K.W.S.D. Wijesiri, A.W.M.
Farsin, R.N.A.M.A.B. Warakagoda, K.M.T.N. Kumara, S. Sanjeev,
Asanka Viraj (Goalkeeper), Rohana Ruwanthilake, K.L.K.C.
Kumara, Chrysteen Fernando, Chamera Chrysantha, Chathura
Gunaratne, Dinudu Hettiarachchi, M.N.M. Fasal, H.M.A. Kumara
(Goalkeeper). |
The six international teams will compete in this competition are
India, Lebanon and Palestine in Group A and Syria, Kyrgystan and Sri
Lanka in Group B. The matches are to be played at Ambedka Stadium. The
first match will be India the host country and Palestine on August 19.
Sri Lanka is billed to meet Syria the following day to open their
fixtures.
The winner and runner-up in each group will qualify to play in the
semi finals on August 27 and 28. While the final is scheduled for August
31. All matches will be played under lights.
Rear Admiral serves as the chef de mission with four other officials
Sampath Perera (Head Coach), Sumith Walpola (Trainer), Jude S.
Karunaratne (Coach goal keeping) and S.N.P.K. Silva (Masseur). The team
will leave on August 17.
Sri Lanka will miss the services of main striker Kasun Jayasuriya due
to an injury. E.B. Channa who has been a tower of strength to striker
Kasun who made a solid combination too will miss tour as he is on a
contract with a Maldivian Club at present.
Lankans are in peak form and expected to come up with flying colours.
The team under coach Sampath Perera has performed well in the past. Also
the Skipper Chathura Maduranga who was also on a contract playing in
Maldives has returned to the side.
His experienced gained in Maldives playing under tough opponent could
be of added value to the team as it contains many young players.
They too can gain lot of experience from this tour.
Aug 19: India Vs Palestine
Aug: 20 Syria Vs Sri Lanka
Aug 21, Palestine Vs Lebanon,
Aug 22; Kyrgystan Vs Sri Lanka
Aug 23; India Vs Lebabon
Aug 24; Syria Vs Kyrgystan,
Aug 27-28; semi finals
Aug 30: Third place Play off
Aug 31: final.
|
