The 8th SAFF Football tournament is to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 31st August to 11th September, 2013.
The Football Federation of Sri Lanka had made arrangements for the Sri Lankan national team to visit Thailand for training camp and to play 4 friendly matches with Thailand Under 21 team and 1st division club teams from 12th to 26th August, 2013. They will proceed to Nepal on the 27th of August 2013 to participate the 8th South Asian Football Federation.
The Press conference for the newly appointed captain Suranda Bandara and the Head coach Mr. Claudio Roberto Silva was held on the 09th of August at the Football House Auditorium. Suranda Bandara plays for Solid SC as a Defender and has a good experience in his position and has good skills in handling the opponent strikers. During the league matches Suranda has showed outstanding form and that skill is rewarded with captaincy. Along with Suranda, M.Izzadeen, Chathura Gunarathne(Vice Captain), Bandara Warakagoda, Raumy Mohideen and Mohamed Fazal are some of the most experienced players in the squad, and they have played for the country for more than 6 years.
The Team list with Officials are as below :-
NamePositionClub
Dasun ParanavithaneGoal KeeperSL Air Force SC
Sujan PereraGoal KeeperKalutara Park SC
Sampath BandaraGoal KeeperSL Army SC
Sanka DanushkaCentre BackSL Army SC
Suranda Bandara (C)Centre BackSolid SC
Peter CharlesCentre Back RightSL Navy SC
Amith KumaraCentre Back LeftSolid SC
Mohamed SameerCentre BackRenown SC
A.Bandara WarakagodaCentre BackSL Army SC
Eranga PrasadDefender LeftRatnam SC
Lahiru TharakaDefender RightRatnam SC
Chathura GunaratneMid Fielder Negombo Youth
RaumyMohideenMid Fielder Colombo FC
T.R.T. RiznyMid Fielder Colombo FC
H.D.M. De Silva Mid Fielder SL Army SC
M. SanojSameeraMid Fielder Saunders SC
L.C. Sajith KumaraWinger Left SL Army SC
Mohamed FazalWinger Left Renown SC
NipunaBandaraWinger Right SL Air Force SC
M.N.M.NafeerForward Renown SC
Chathuranga SanjeewaForwardSL Navy SC
M. IzzadeenForwardSL Army SC
R.D. Sudarshana GunasingheForwardSL Navy SC
M.N.M.ImranForwardRenown SC
Officials
Mr. M.M. Rameez- Team Manager
Mr. Claudio Roberto Silveira-Head Coach
Mr. Guilherme de Abreu Rangel -Asst. Coach
Mr. D. Chandrasiri-Goalkeeper Trainer
Mr. S.N.P.K. Silva-Masseur
Coach Mr. Claudio Roberto Silva stated the squad is getting adapted to his new training techniques since most of the players are facing a language problem. Coach and the officials are giving there immense support to bring the team to a higher position. Mr. Claudio, said coming all the way from Brazil to train a national squad is not an easy task. He wants each and every player to improve step by step with the help of the officials. His Assistant Mr. Guilhere de Abreu Rangel Junior also a Brazilian is giving his full support to the head coach to bring the team forward.
The President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka Mr. Ranjith Rodrigo gave an explanation on how the success will be achieved passing the difficulties they are facing at the moment. He is expecting a lot from the team in the upcoming tournaments. The President’s long term plan was told to the media. His main target is the Under 16 national squad as they would be the future of football in a few years time. He also mentioned that FIFA has agreed to help Sri Lanka build an international stadium in Colombo. Hendry Pediris grounds will be the stadium with an artificial turf which will cost around 500,000 USD. The President’s recent visit to Bahrain has made an impact as they will be helping Sri Lanka for the betterment of football in this country.
Finally Mr. Ranjith informed that Football will reach a higher standard within his period of presidency and wished the officials Good Luck.
