AFC Challenge Cup 2010 kicks off

Bernard Perera

*B’desh-Tajikistan play opener

*Sri Lanka take on Myanmar

The AFC Challenge Cup 2010 will kick off today at the Sugathadasa Stadium when Tajikistan meet Bangladesh in the opener at 4 p.m. This will be a Group ‘A’ game and the next game too will be from the same group where the host of the championship Sri Lanka meeting Myanmar scheduled for 7 pm.

Sri Lanka team is a blend of youth and experience which competed at the recently concluded South Asian Games in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The team which reached the semis will have to come up with a better performance during this tourney. Team led by Rohana Ruwanthilleke will have a slight advantage as they play on their home soil in front of the fans who will throng the stadium to cheer them and also to encourage them.

At the same time the fans in Sri Lanka is getting an opportunity to witness our international soccer fare after a long lapse. Lankan players who reached the final stage of this tournament taking the top spot in Group ‘D’ qualifying round with two wins and a draw should maintain their quality by playing their usual game minus selfish play. Specially playing against Myanmar is not that tough as the other two teams in this group Tajikistan and Bangladesh.

During this game the Lankans should combine well to play as a team and make sure to score in early stage of the game to pose a challenge to their opponents.

Jang Jung the Korean coach who is looking after the Lankan team too should be a happy man to see his products do a good job for their country.

The final team will be released before the game according to an official of the FFSL.

Thak Yong Bin the DPR Korean coach who addressed the media last evening said that his team is here to win. Answering a question raised by the mediaman he said that the team is packed with 50 percent youth and 50 percent seniors. The team also includes five members who were in the World Cup qualifying games and one player who played. He added they are here to win the Cup for their country. He thanked the FFSL for making elaborate arrangements for the tournament.

Coach of the Bangladeshi team A. K. M. Saiful Bari Taitu said that his team is a young talented team under 23 years. The team though young displayed their talents to their maximum during the 11th South Asian Games. He said that he is sure the team will do creditably well to maintain the level they performed in the recent past.

India’s Sulchinder Singh said his team too comprises of a majority under 23 players. When asked as to why they fielded this team, he said that most of the seniors are in the national pool practices preparing for the Asian Games. He also added that this is a vital tournament for his team, look forward to win the Cup which will definitely boost India’s soccer.

Turmenistan manager Grigoryants Konstantine and Hogazel Diyer Yazgulu too attend the press briefing yesterday at the Hotel Galadari.

The Asian Football Confederation has appointed the following as officials for the AFC Challenge Cup 2010. Match Commissioners M. Mubarak, M. K. Al Mahannadi (Qatar), Chen Yongliang (China).

Referee Assessors Lennie Edward McGregor (Australia), Hussain Sh H. A. Ghadhanferi (Kuwait).

Referees: N. A. G. Shukralla (Bharain), Tan Hai (China), Ali Reza Faghani (Iran), Matsuo Hajime (Japan), Al Haddad Andre (Lebanon), Chaiya Alec Mahabap (Thailand), Al Yaremi Moukthar (Yemen).

Asst. Referees: E. M. Sabt Moosa Saleh (Bahrain), Huo Weiming (China), Karimi Morteza (Iran), Nagi Toshiyuki (Japan), Ahmad El Kawas (Lebanon), M. S. bin Mat Daud (Malaysia), Hamed S. M. Al Mayahi (Oman), C. Kurian Shaji (India), S. Hussein Omer (Yemen).