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SL promise exciting soccer

SPORTS REPORTER
Sri Lanka have promised to play exciting football in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship that begins at the Bangabandhu National Stadium from Friday.
The islanders' Brazilian head coach, Marcus Ferreira, at a press conference yesterday said his young players are capable of giving big names a good run for their money.
The press briefing was arranged at the Bangabandhu National Stadium immediately after the 25-member Sri Lanka team arrived in the city to play in the eight-nation football fiesta.
Soon after taking over Sri Lanka in early 2000, the South American coach inspired his team to a 1-0 victory over Bangladesh in a Maldives tournament in 2000. Ferreira however said none of those players are with the team this time. "We are mainly preparing for the SAF Games in Pakistan next year. It's a new combination where there is no experienced player. So, I don't really expect much from them. What I'm looking for is they play as a team," said Ferreira, adding that the
average age of his players is 23.
Slated in the Group A, the Lankans, led by defender Duddley
Lincon Steinwall, start their campaign against newcomers Afghanistan on January 10 after arch-rivals India and Pakistan, also from the same group, lock horns in the tournament opener.
Placed second (139) behind India (127) on the FIFA rankings recently, Sri Lanka had their only success in the regional football competition way back in 1995 when they clinched the one-off SAARC Football Championship trophy at home.
Sri Lanka began their camp four months back and played nine friendly matches against Vietnam, Maldives and Pakistan national teams at home in their lead-up to the Dhaka meet.
"The results of those matches are encouraging. We lost only once against Vietnam against two draws, and we also beat Pakistan and Maldives. So, you can say that we are well prepared. But what I want to say is the level of tournament we are
SL promise
FROM PAGE 13
going to play in Dhaka is very high for my team," said the Lankan coach.
Manager Major PAR Samarakoon and assistant coach Sampath Perera were also present in the briefing that was chaired by SAFF Championship organising committee secretary Badal Roy.
SQUAD
Duddley Lincon Steinwall (captain), MM Azmeer, KM Fuard, Nalin Nandana Kumara, Samantha Prabath, Nazar Hameed, Chathura Weerasinghe, Imran Mohamed, Uditha Perera, Rukman Rishantha, Kasun Jayasuriya, Janaka Sanjaya Silva, EB Channa, Sandun Devinda, Gihan Janaka, Chryshantha Abeysekera, Mohamed Rawme Mohideen, Dammika Senarath, EIP Perera and Mohamed Hasan Hamsa.