Sri Lanka soccerites get ready for SA Games

by Leslie FERNANDO

FOOTBALL: The Football Federation of Sri Lanka announced the 24-member national soccer pool in preparation for the 11th edition of the South Asian Games to be held from 29th January to 7th February in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

According to Sampath Perera, national coach, 24 players were selected when the national selectors met over the weekend and the final 18 players will be picked in the last week in December.

Perera said the selectors picked the 24 players on their performances at this year's premier division one tournament, PA Cup and the Dialog Champion League soccer tournaments. There are several talented young soccerites in the squad and they are certain to show their prowess. Asked on the strength of the other participating countries India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan could Sri Lanka team be able to at least to reach the final of the SAG Football tournament? Sampath said "it's too early to comment on this issue, but Sri Lanka will definitely show better and improved performances."

Former Sri Lanka midfielder and skipper Dudley Steinwall of Ratnam SC fame has been recalled to the national pool and he will be an asset to the side said Perera.

The 24-member squad will go into residential coaching camp shortly and they are expected to play several practise games against stronger leagues and clubs.

The 24 national pool: Dimuthu Hettiarachchi (Saunders SC), D.K.D. Ruwanthileka (The Travellers SC), Tharaka Silva (Don Bosco SC), Shanmugaraj Sanjeev (Air Force), M.N.M. Ishadeen (Army), Kasun Jayasuriya (Ratnam SC), Mohamed Azmir (Blue Star SC), Sanjaya Pradeep (Police), C. Kumara (Air Force), R.M.M. Weragoda (Army), Dudley Steinwall (Ratnam SC), Sathis Kumara (Renown SC), Chathura Maduranga (Ratnam SC), Devin Bandara (Don Bosco SC), H.M.A. Kumara (Navy) Chathura Gunaratne (Don Bosco SC), Sameera Perera (Saunders SC), Tharusha Tharanga (Ratnam SC), K.M.C.N. Kumara (Air Force), Jagath Chamara (Civil Security Forces), Surendra Bandara (Don Bosco SC), E.B. Channa (Ratnam SC), M.N.M. Fazal (Renown SC).