The Football Federation of Sri Lanka has called up five players to replace a few injured players in the National Football squad for the upcoming 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup in Malaysia which start on 2nd of November.
From the initial squad that flew to Cambodia a few weeks back for an International Friendly, Dilip Peiris, Afam Akram and Gnanaruban Vinoth have been omitted from the squad due to knee injuries. New Youngs FC goalkeeper Supun Kaveesh Fernando, who missed out on the Cambodia tour due to injury, has recovered and resumed training.
Gnanaruban Vinoth suffered a knee injury in the practice match against Foreign XI and did not tour to Cambodia. Dilip Peiris and Afam Akram, both Sri Lanka U19 caps in 2015, who were on their maiden tour for the Sri Lanka senior team, also did not have happy memories as they suffered knee injuries within 24 hours of each other.
Dilip Peiris injured his knee in practice, the day before the match against Cambodia. Afam who replaced Subash Madushan in the 2nd half against Cambodia had a match to forget as he was lucky not to get sent off for a two footed challenge and escaped with a yellow card. His debut ended when he was stretchered off after twisting his knee trying to make a tackle.
“We did scans for Afam and Dilip. Dilip will definitely need surgery on his knee while Afam will have to seek a second opinion based on the reports,” Manager of the Sri Lanka team Mohamed Ramiz said, speaking exclusively to ThePapare.com.
Players yearning for a National call-up
Everyone has an opinion on who should make the national team and most squad announcements are followed by intense discussions as to who really should or should not have made the national team.
Sri Lanka had a lackluster outing against Cambodia as the hosts registered four goals, with Captain Sujan Perera being the only bright spot for the Lankans.
The new additions are Roshan Appuhamy, Afeel Mohamed, Madushan De Silva, Suntharaj Niresh and Sajith Kumara. Roshan Appuhamy, Madushan De Silva and Sajith Kumara are from Army SC while Afeel Mohamed and Suntharaj Niresh are from Colombo FC and Saunders SC respectively.
Mohamed Uzman of Renown SC, though he is practicing with the squad, won’t be included for Solidarity Cup.
“After the match against Cambodia we figured we needed to strengthen the left side, that’s why we have brought in Madushan De Silva and Sajith Kumara,” Head Coach Dudley Steinwall expressed to ThePapare.com.
Madushan De Silva, the skipper for Army SC this season, has had a wonderful season so far with goals and assists for the reigning FA Cup champions. Sajith Kumara who started off his career as a left-back but is now playing as a striker, can be a utility player for Sri Lanka.
Much like Kumara, Afeel Mohamed, a midfielder, too plays in an uncustomary centre-back position for Colombo FC but given that Sri Lanka needs to boost their midfield he will be a perfect fit. Afeel is one of the three players legendary player and coach Sumith Walpola identified as future stars for Sri Lanka a few years back. The other two, Zarwan Johar and Mohamed Rifnas, are already in the squad.
Suntharaj Niresh, last year’s Sri Lanka U19 player, will add creativity into the midfield while Roshan Appuhamy will act as cover for Subash Madushan in the left-back position.
Sri Lanka to participate in AFC’s first ever Solidarity Cup
The Sri Lanka squad will leave for Malaysia on the 31st of October while they will play their first match in group B against Laos on the 3rd of November at Sarawak State Stadium, Kuching at 2.00pm SL time.
2016 AFC Solidarity Cup Fixtures
Sri Lanka Squad for 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup
Sujan Perera (Captain) – Nipuna Devinda Bandara (Senior Vice Captain) – Mohamed Rifnas (Vice Captain) – Madushan De Silva – Kavindu Ishan – Dumindu Hettiarachchi – Afeel Mohamed – Chathuranga Sanjeewa – Asikur Rahuman – Suntharaj Niresh – Sajith Kumara – Chalana Chameera – Danushka Madushanka – Mohamed Uzman – Zarwan Johar – Sanka Danushka Wijesiri – Anurudda Warakagoda, Subash Madushan – Prabath Ruwan Arunasiri – Amith Kumara – Edison Figurado – Roshan Appuhami – Lakshitha Jayathunga – Supun Kaveesh Fernando
Dudley Steinwall (Head Coach) – Devasagayam Rajamani (Assistant Coach) – Mahinda Galagedara (Goal Keeper Coach) – M.M. Rameez (Manager) – S.N.P.K. Silva (Physiotherapist)
