Sri Lanka will host Iran and Palestine for the qualifiers for the Asian Football Confederation U19 Women’s Championship which will be played in China, 2015.
The three teams will be playing in the Group B qualifiers which will be played on the 7th, 9th and 11th of November 2014 at the Police Park Grounds.
Speaking at the media conference Palestine coach Ahmed Beitello Dahbour was optimistic about their chances whose preparations for this tournament has been hampered by the volatile situation between Israel and Palestine.
“We only had two months practice for this tournament, because of the situation in the country. It is not ideal. We know that Iran is a good side and these conditions will favour Sri Lanka.” Dahbour added.
“This is the first time Palestine are participating in this kind of tournament, so it will be a good experience for the girls.” He further added.
“We played two practice games before we came here but as the coach said only two months of practice so it is very little time to have a good preparation for this tournament.” Palestine U19 Women’s captain Seleen Alosh mentioned.
Iran will be the favourites in this Group B qualifying stage, with vast international experience. Helaleh Abdolahi will captain Iran who finished second in the group stage of the 2013 AFC U19 women’s Football Championship.
“This is my second time visiting Sri Lanka. We were here before another qualifying campaign. The girls had a training camp for four months. They are well prepared.” Iran coach Mahnaz Amirshaghaghi talked about their preparations.
“We participated in a European tournament six months back which included Ukraine, Slovakia, Estonia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Hungary and also had a couple of practice matches in Thailand recently, which is very good experience for us leading up to this tournament,” a confident Amirshaghaghi mentioned.
Sri Lanka on the other hand will have the home conditions in their favour as well as the advantage of having had in house training for the past couple of months.
“This year we started training earlier than in previous years. Almost all of the girls are from the U16 Championship qualifiers. This is a very young team. This team is developed with an eye to the future because the average age is 16-17. So they can represent Sri Lanka for another three or four year.” Sri Lanka coach Shanika Rajapaksha talked about the youthful looking side.
“We had a good training programme and our management has been very helpful, so I think we can qualify for the Championship in China,” Sri Lanka U19 women’s captain Thilini Dilhara mentioned about their main ambition.
Majority of the Sri Lanka squad comprises players from Parakkramabahu MV, Polgahawela and Maliyadeva Balika MV, Kurunegala while Purnima Sandamali Perera who toured Manchester United recently for training through the Airtel Rising Star Challenge will lead the forward line. Sri Lanka will count on her training and experience in this crucial qualifying campaign.
Sri Lanka Squad
Thilini Dilhara (captain) – Basira Banunn – Malisha Shashini – Sanduni Priyadharshani – Sithra Sathsarani – Shanika Madumali – Heshani Sajini – Sumudu Sumali – Yamuna Niranjana – M.A.S. Perera – Hashini Nimesha – Ruwanthi Gallage – Uma Priyadharshani – Thushani Madushika – Ashani Nuwanthika – Subodini Dissanayaka – D.Lilanthi – Nisansala Prabodini – Sandamali Perera – K.U. Abeyrathne – Anuththara Premasiri – Sanduni Asha – Ishanka Yohani Weerasinghe
Fixtures
November 7th Sri Lanka v Palestine -Police Ground 3.30 pm
November 9th Sri Lanka v Iran – Police Ground 3.30 pm
November 11th Palestine v Iran – Police Ground 3.30 pm
