India vs Afghanistan 'kicks off' SAG tomorrow

by Leslie Fernando

The 10th South Asian Games (SAG) first discipline - Football tournament - will have eight countries in the fray. Holders Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan and Bhutan will kick off tomorrow August 14 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

There will be three matches on the cards on Monday-India v Afghanistan at 4 p.m. Sri Lanka take on Maldives at 6 p.m. and Bangladesh play with Nepal at 8 p.m.

Muisheen Ariff, Director Technical (Football) South Asian Games who accompanied the 'new look' Sri Lanka team to Malaysia for a ten-day training and to play few club matches, said that the boys are in very good shape after the tour.

They got the maximum benefit and are in fine physical, mental and practical condition. They are 'raring to go'.

The soccerites are at a residential camp at Baddegana Training Centre on Kotte under Jang Jung, South Korean coach assisted by D. Chandrasiri and E. Balendra. Clement de Silva as the manager of the side is doing a good job.

Ariff added that Baddegana Training Centre is a suitable venue and it is well maintained by 'evergreen' G. A. K. Abeysekera. He is a 'grand old master' in Football over four decades history in soccer administration and he is doing tremendous job at Kotte.

Jung, Korean coach said that Sri Lanka has same standard as other teams. "I don't care about the opening game, we have to calm ourselves first. We have to work hard and focus our attention on tactical things before our games," Jung added our team will adopt an attacking style of play which will attract larger crowds and increase the prestige of the sport in the country.

"We also have a great advantage, being the host playing in our country" he added.

Ariff an AFC referee-instructor, one of the best local soccer referees, a former good player, knowledgable coach and a good administrator, said that the players are being motivated and all facilities are being found by Thilina Panditharatne, President FFSL together with Manilal Fernando 'King pin' of local soccer who is also the Chairman Management Committee FFSL, Vice-President AFC, Chrysantha Perera (CEO) another 'live wire' of local soccer for a long period.

The Sri Lanka team which has never lifted the soccer title since 1984, first SAF Games will come out with 'flying colours' said Ariff. "Our main target is; Gold in football for the first time."

The teams will play in two groups - Group 'A' - Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Group 'B' - India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal. There will be 12 matches before the semi-finalists are found. The matches will be played on a league basis.

The match schedule: August 16 - Afghanistan Vs Bangladesh at 4 p. m. Nepal Vs India at 6 p. m. Bhutan Vs Maldives at 8 p. m. August 19 - Bangladesh Vs India at 4 p. m. Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka at 6 p. m. Nepal Vs Afghanistan at 8 p. m. August 21 - Maldives Vs Pakistan at 4 p. m., Sri Lanka Vs Bhutan at 6 p. m. August 23 - Bhutan Vs Pakistan at 4 p. m. August 24 - Semi-finals - winner of group 'A' Vs runner-up Group 'B' at 3 p. m. winner of group 'B' Vs runner-up group 'A' at 8 p. m. August 26 - Third place match at 4 p. m. and the finals at 8 p. m.

Pakistan retained the football title at the 9th SAF Games in 2004 in Pakistan with India being runner-up. Sri Lanka was placed third while Bhutan took the fourth position.

The soccer pool: Asanka Viraj, A. Kumara, Chapa Rushan, Sandun Devinda, R. D. Ruwanthilaka, W. M. R. P. Fernando, Nalinda Kumara, Mahesh Savithra, Nisal Nilanga, K. L. A. Jagath, Duminda Hettiarachchi, R. A. S. Lochana, B. Shiwanka, Nirantha Perera, Kamal Silva, Nuwantha Charaka, Nadeka Pushpakumara, Nimal Fernando, Jagath Rohan, Fasue Rahuman, Sudara Madushanka, L. A. T. S. Bandara, Thejan Fernando, Pradeep Fernando, Rumal Pinto.