The revamped Sri Lankan team had a fruitful beginning under new coach Nicola Kavazovic when they came back from a goal down to defeat Seychelles 2-1 in a friendly at Unity Stadium, Seychelles.
Sri Lanka who are ranked 178th in the world were up against a strongly built Seychelles outfit ranked two places below Sri Lanka.
Speaking at Maison de Football soon after their arrival on Saturday, the Sri Lankan coach Nikola Kavazovic said that they will be aiming for victory in their first of two friendly encounters against the Seychelles side.
“We respect all teams but at the same time we are not afraid of anyone and we have come here with the potential to win because our philosophy is play to win in all games,” coach Kavazovic told.
“My team is a totally new team with young players who all play in the Sri Lankan league and it is probably one of the youngest national team but they have a lot of potential and I expect them to show progress for me personally and for Sri Lanka.”
However the Sri Lankans had a tough start against the stronger Seychelles side who dominated the opening half. They took a deserved lead when Seychelles left wing back went past Thiruna Senanayaka and crossed the ball into the where the striker added the finishing touches.
Seychelles had a couple of chances but Sri Lankan custodian Sujan Perera denied them with superb saves. Even though Seychelles had the majority of possession in the opening half there were two opportunities for Senanayaka but was unable to produce a goal.
At half time Sri Lanka brought in Mohomed Hakeem and former Sri Lanka U19 captain Zarwan Johar.
These two changes made a positive impact on the match for the visitors as they started to insert their authority into the game. In the 53rd minute Sajith Kumara crossed the ball to Kavindu Ishan who in turn gave a delightful through ball which Zarwan Johar put away with ease to equalize.
Sri Lanka riding on the positive wave took the lead when Zarwan breezed past three defenders and layed the ball to Mohomed Rifnas who gave the Lankans the winning goal.
SRI LANKA Team:
Sujan Perera (G.K.), Eranga Prasad, Asikumar Rahuman, Subash Madushan, Sajith Kumara, Chathuranga Sanjeewa (Capt), Nalaka Roshan, Mohomed Rizkhan, Thiruna Senanayaka, Madushan De Silva, Kavindu Ishan
