Sri Lanka take on Afghanistan today

Prince Gunasekera reporting from New Delhi

Sri Lanka who registered the first victory of the SAFF Championship when they outplayed Bhutan by 3-0 will meet Afghanistan at the same venue today. Today's game is vital for Sri Lanka as if they defeat Bhutan, they will qualify for the quarter-final irrespective of the result of the match against India on the seventh of this month.

In the match against Bhutan, Mohommad Zain scored the first goal for the Lankans in the 29th minute while Nipuna Bandara double the lead six minutes later. Bandara netted the third one in the 65th minute which earned him the man of the match award. However Sri Lanka missed some easy chances that could have been converted into at least another seven goals.

'Today it will be competitive as a final and it is important that we gain full advantage over Bhutan and secure our place in the tournament, said Sri Lankan captain Rohana Ruwanthilaka addressing the media.

Sri Lanka coach Jang Yung said that players should be out to give a better display in the match today. The forward players should pass the ball with better understanding and we hope they would perform up to the expectations and to avoid repeating mistakes with Afghanistan, said Jang.

Afghanistan are at 184 in the world ranking and Sri Lanka are ranked at 177. Since 2003 they have met each other four times and Sri Lanka has gained a victory while Afghanistan has won two. In 2008 at Sugathadasa stadium the other game was drawn at 2-2.

Afghanistan won the last match in Kathmndu by 1-0 in the Asian Championship qualifying match.