Tuan Rizni is on the verge of leaving the back to back Dialog Champions League winners Colombo FC after requesting a release.
The former Hameed Al Husseinie College and Sri Lanka cap has been with the club since 2014 and was an integral part of their two championship campaigns.
The main reason for requesting a release has been his omission from the starting XI in the AFC Cup Qualifier against Mohun Bagan AC.
“I was playing consistently at right-back and left-back for the club in the Champions League though my natural position is in midfield. However when the AFC Cup Qualifier came, players who were taken from outside clubs were starting ahead of me and some of the other players,” a disappointed Rizni said exclusively to ThePapare.com.
“I have even played at center-back during our FA Cup winning campaign because the Coach and the club wanted me. So when I asked the reason for my omission from the XI from the management, they didn’t have an answer.”
Rizni was part of the national side since the late 2000’s to 2013. However after signing with Colombo FC he has been unable to cement a position in his preferred midfield position with captain Rawme Mohideen, Momas Yapo and Zarwan Johar above him in the pecking order.
Though Rizni has not featured in midfield he had been a vital utility player for the Yellow Brigade and performing well in right-back and left-back positions.
After the disagreement Rizni did not take part in Colombo FC’s last and most crucial three matches in the Champions League while he has not been named in the squad for the 2016/17 FA Cup. He will only be able to leave at the end of the season after the conclusion of the FA Cup.
“I needed to think of my career as well. That is why I decided to leave because only with consistent playing time that I will have an opportunity to make the national side again,” Rizni finally added.
Few clubs have emerged as possible destinations for Rizni, with Java Lane, Renown and Saunders SC at the fore-front but he is likely to sign on with Navy SC, who are also in the rebuilding process after another disastrous Super 8 campaign.
