2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier:

Confident Lankans face Philippines on June 29

Bernard PERERA

Sri Lankan soccer fans will get an opportunity to witnessing an international game after a long lapse when the Lankans take on Philippines national team in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match on June 29 at Sugathadasa stadium. Kick off is scheduled for 3.45 pm.

The second leg of this round is to be played on July 3 in Philippines national stadium in Manila. The winners on the higher goal aggregate will take Kuwait on July 20 in Kuwait. These details were disclosed at a press briefing held at the Football House on Monday.

Sri Lanka is led by the defender Rohana Ruwantilleke which comprise many new faces. Though they are new to the national team are determined to play good soccer to pose a threat to the visitors, said the captain. He further added that players are in good condition and give their best to win these two games to qualify for the next round. He admitted that it was a failure at the last three matches.

The team has learnt a lot from those games. We have put things on to the right track with help of the coach and we are confident that we can come as victors. The Sri Lankan coach too is of the same view and said that the team is presently in fine shape to face the Philippines. He also said that there are few Philippinos who play professional football in other countries. We have studied their game plans but could not have look at the other players who expected to play here, said the Coach Jang Jung. President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka Sarath Weerasekera said that we in Sri Lanka faced many difficulties in the recent past with few senior players involved in match fixing. So we had sort out Matters before settling down to select players for the national team.

In a bid to find new talent the selectors worked hard going round the country and watching most of the matches during the Holcim FA Cup Tournament. The Selectors were able to find players from outstations and brought to the national pool.

At present they are under the guidance of the national coach. According to the coach’s selections three players were included to the pool of 25, but as two players one from Trincomalee and the other from Galle had to left out of the squad due to injuries, said Weerasekera. He also said that they will be considered for the next engagements.

At present Philippines is ranked 155th in the world rankings while Sri Lanka is placed on 169th place. Though Sri Lanka did not impress in the AFC Challenge qualifying round played against DPR Korea and Afghanistan lost both games 4-0 and 1-0. But managed to settle for a draw in their game against Nepal 0-0.

On the other hand Philippines are here with a better record having notched up a victory over Bangladesh 3-0 and drew with Myanmar 1-1 and Palestine was held to a nil all draw. This record helped them to play in the AFC Challenge Cup final round in 2012.

When considering these form of both teams are on equal terms and a good game of soccer can be witnessed on this day.

The national squad:

Goal Keepers - Manjula Fernando (Blue Star SC), Sampath Buddhika Bandara (New Youngs SC), Sujan Perera (Kalutara Park SC).

Defenders: Bandara Warakagoda, Thilanka Nandasiri (Sri Lanka Army), Rohana Ruwantilleke (Captain) (Saunders SC), Dilki Kumara (Don Bosco SC), Kolitha Lankesara (SL Air Force), Dhanushka Wijesiri (SL Army), Chameera Krishantha (SL Navy).

Mid fielders: PH Nadeeka Pushpakumara (SL Police), Nuwan Priyankara (Nandimithra SC), Chathura Guneratne, Fazul Rahuman Tuan Rizni, M Zain (Renown SC), Lahiru Tharaka (SL Navy), M Nazar (SL Air Force), M Izzadeen (SL Army), PJ Chaminda (SL Air Force).

Strikers: Nagoor Meera (Java Lane SC), Safraz Kaiz (Renown SC), Nimal Fernando (Negombo Youth SC), K Sudharshan (SL Navy), Kavindu Ishan (SL Air Force).