The Sri Lanka National Women’s Football team is aiming at a finals appearance in the 2016 SAFF Women’s Championship.
Sri Lanka Women’s Football Team will be participating in the 4th SAFF Women’s Championship from the 26th December to the 4th of January 2017 in Siliguri, West Bangal, India.
Women’s squad for SAFF Championship
The Sri Lanka National Women’s squad was announced by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) for the upcoming 2016 SAFF Women’s Championship.
The squad has been in training for around four months under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Ratnam Jusmin who took over the side for the South Asian Games at the beginning of 2016.
“Unlike the SAG 2016 we had a lot of time to practice and prepare. We gave our plan and the FFSL was happy and provided us with everything. We did a lot of hard work,” added Jusmin.
“In the SAG we had difficulty with our endurance. We worked on it this time. Midfield was a bit weak last time but we rectified them and strengthened the midfield with a striker who plays well in both positions,” he added on how they worked on one of their main weaknesses.
The Women’s team played six practice matches during the four months with four of them against boys’ U19 sides.
“We played two matches against Army Women and won. We played against Saunders U19, Mannar U19, Colombo FC U19 and Nuwaraeliya U19 sides where we performed well. Against Saunders even though we lost 2-1 the girls showed real skill and determination. We drew 2-2 against Colombo FC where our strikers and midfield worked well,” Jusmin talked about how the team impressed.
He was also pleased with how his strikers have got back into form.
“We lacked scoring goals in recent times. Our defenders are in good condition so we worked on our finishing more. In the practice matches Chalani (Ekanayake), Praveena (Perera), Erandi (Liyanage) has scored and are in form. I am counting on them to deliver the goods.”
Jusmin has been able to bring out the best in the girls after playing a few matches with the boys.
“Since we played against the boys in the practice matches there has been a change where the girls gave it extra to show colours which are a good thing, especially when you face tough matches, you know you will be prepared for it.”
However Sri Lanka will have the tough task of adapting to the climate in Siliguri which is near the Himalayan mountain range.
“We went to Nuwaraeliya for a week’s practice because we are going to a place where there is a cool climate,” skipper for Sri Lanka Erandi Liyanage added.
“I am a bit concerned about the cool weather in India. One of our main midfielders Achala Sarukkali still hasn’t gotten used to it but the others did well,” a concerned yet hopeful Jusmin said.
Talking about the tournament ambition both the Head Coach and Skipper was confident of their chances.
“We have a good morale; the girls want to show it on the field rather than talk,”
Sri Lanka has made it to the semi-finals of the last two editions of the SAFF Women’s Championships in 2012, which Sri Lanka hosted, and in 2014. However they were beaten 3-0 by Nepal in 2012 and 5-0 by India in 2014.
“As a coach we need to go into the semis. Two wins and a draw is enough. By 2018 these girls will come out really well, but this time my target is a final,” added Jusmin.
“First match is important against Maldives. Our mental preparation is very good. We have gotten to the semi-finals in the SAFF tournaments but this time we are looking forward to take that next step,” Erandi mentioned.
“We had a very good training and a very good coach. Coach has done everything in his capacity for us. Now it is upto us to show our performance on the field,” a determined Captain concluded.
