Sri Lanka Air Force in an all South Asian group for AFC President’s Cup

The journey to be crowned the next champions of the Asian Football Confederation President’s Cup began at AFC House with the draw for the 2014 tournament and with no previous champions and six debutants including the first participation from a North Korean club the tenth edition of the popular tournament promises to be one of the most exciting yet.

The AFC President’s Cup is an annual international association football competition between domestic clubs sides run by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).The champions of each football league in their respective countries participate in this tournament. Qualification to the competition is to clubs from AFC-affiliated countries which fall into the AFC’s ’emerging nations’ category as laid out in their ‘Vision Asia’ document. 

For only the second time in the history of the AFC President’s Cup a former champion is not taking part, with three-time participants and last year’s runners-up KRL (Khan Research Laboratories) going into May’s Group Stage as the most experienced side in the fray.

KRL, who lost 1-0 to Turkmenistan’s FK Balkan in the 2013 AFC President’s Cup final in Malacca last September, have been drawn in Group A in an intriguing all South Asian pool.

Joining the Pakistan powerhouse are group A hosts Sri Lanka Air Force SC, Sheikh Russel Krira Chakara Limited from Bangladesh and Ugyen Academy, who edged undefeated Yeedzin by a single point to win the 2013 Bhutan National League ahead of the two-time AFC President’s Cup participants. The group A matches will be held on the 7th, 9th and 11th of May at the Sugathadasa Satdium.

Sheikh Russel, Ugyen Academy and Group A hosts Sri Lanka Air Force SC are all making their competition debuts as are Rimyongsu, who are making tournament history by becoming the first club from DPR Korea to take part in the AFC President’s Cup. Sri Lanka Air Force qualified for the tournament winning the 2013 Dialog Champions League.

Speaking at the media conference held at the Football Federation of Sri Lanka to kick start the group A, KRL Football Club’s coach Tariq Lutfi said, “Even though we are missing a few key players we are confident we can give a good fight to the other teams. Two are on national duty while another two are injured and a couple has left the club. The club’s are in the SAFF region and are evenly matched.”

Tariq Lutfi who is a former national player, coached the Pakistan national side to South Asian Games Gold medal in ’89,’91 and ’04. KRL has won the Pakistan Premier League in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2014 and the National Football Challenge Cup four times through 2009-2012.

Serbian Dragan Dukanovic who coaches the Bangladesh club Sheikh Russel KC said, “We have prepared well, had some good training sessions.”

Dukanovic who has coached international stars such as Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, Manchester City’s Alexander Kolorav guided the Shiekkh Russel KC side to their first ever Bangladesh Premier League and Federation Cup championship in his first season.

Sri Lanka Air Force coach Sampath Perera who is in his third year as coach is looking forward to the new challenge.“We are very well prepared. The FFSL has given us immense support. We had an in-house training in the last two weeks and the nutrition was sponsored by the FFSL. Players are well prepared to face the challenge with a confident and a positive mind set.” 

Sampath Perera represented the Air Force in his playing days and also captained the national side to the SAAF Championship in 1995.

Sri Lanka Air Force

D. P. J. Chaminda – R. T. G. Raheem (Asst. Coach) – K. M. Sampath Perera (Head Coach) – Group Captain S. D. Kotage (Secretary) – Air Cdre. A. W. E Wijesuriya (Chairman) – M. I. Hameed (Physio) – P.V.S.P. Dayawansa (Goalkeeper Trainer) – W. D. S. Fernando (Captain)

K. S. Pathum – L. H. K. Ishan – L. S. V. J. Soyza – N. A. G. K. Perera – L. A. N. D. Bandara – L.  A. R. Chamara – K. N. W. Fernando – M. N. M. Fazal – D. M. D. L. Gunasinghe – B. D. C. Fernando – D. N. Welgamage – D. D. P. Paranavithane 

H. A. H. D. Chandrarathne – D. K. Duminda – K. G. R. S. Guruge – M. K. Gayantha – H. M. P. R. Arunasiri  – K. C. K. Lankesara – S. Srikanth – P. A. E. R. Fernando – T. D. Dissanayake