::::Sri Lanka Football Federation::::

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UPDATE !

Apr 2008

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
Rank 160	Points 106
FFSL has been very active in its various regions assisting victims of the tragedy which happened on 26 December 2004. Among the efforts so far done are the setting up of a relief centre and the donation of equipment, including footballs as well as household equipment.

"I am very proud to have assisted the FFSL sport website in Sri Lanka....
Mr. Urs Zanitti, Head of FIFA Department Program

"Congratulations for the quick and efficient establishment and.....
Mr. Jurg Nepfer, Head of FIFA Course Program

"This is a progressive and visionary portal, designed for the objective of moving......"
Ms. Claire Kenny, Director of Marketing
Asian Football Confederation

"Well done and keep it up."
Dato Paul M. Samuel,
FIFA Development Officer Malaysia

"I was proud to be present for the launching of FFSL web site. Good Luck."
Mr. Alain Leiblang, Member FIFA Communication Division

"You are ahead of many countries in Asia with this website. Keep up the....
Mr. George Das, Malaysia Marketing

"Well done !. Beginning is half done. Keep it up the good work. ...
Christopher Raj

"An excellent idea and a great tool for advancing awareness in Sri Lanka...
Priyan Senanayake, United Kingdom

AFC PRESIDENTS CUP - GROUP C - COLOMBO
'COME SEE FOOTBALL IN PARADISE'

Update: 28 April 2008
Ashgabat and Kanbawza through to semis

AFC President's Cup Group C host Ratnam Sports Club failed to achieve their target to move into the semi-finals when they went down to Ashgabat SC from Turkmenistan 2 goals to nil at Sugathadasa stadium on Sunday.

A draw here would have given the opportunity for Ratnam SC to qualify but the bad weather and the soggy ground conditions deprived them the chances to go for a draw here.

The wet conditions on this day helped the visitors heavily as they got used to the conditions immediately.

The rules laid down by the AFC for this particular tourney gave the advantage to Myanmar the second slot in the standings while the Ashgabat SC from Turkmenistan took the top spot to make their way to the semis.

Ratnam SC, Kanbawza SC and Ashgabat SC all had two wins each but Myanmar's goal aggregate of 14 goals put them ahead of Ratnam SC and also ended as best runner-up to move further in the championship.

The match between Sri Lanka's Ratnam SC and Ashgabat SC was played under heavy rains from the commencement of the game.

Every one wonders as to why the referee and the match commissioner allowed the game to continue with so much of rain where the ground was covered with water where the players could not control themselves when moving up and down.

Ratnam SC coach Sampath Perera said though his team lost it was heartening to see the boys play a good game under very difficult conditions underfoot. This was the first occasion they came across such conditions. At the same time the boys did not have the luck on this day, said Sampath.

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Update: 27 April 2008
Ratnam lose to Ashgabat 0-2

Ratnam Sports Club came down to the second slot in the Group C of the AFC President's Cup qualifying round when they went down to Ashgabat SC from Turkmenistan 0-2 yesterday under lights at Sugathadasa Stadium.

Ratnam SC who topped the group with two wins from earlier games could not display their skills yesterday due to heavy rains that came down which also really spoiled the top class soccer expected by everyone present.

The ground was almost under water and the players from both teams could not control the ball and saw them falling every time they reached the ball. But the play went on for over 30 minutes with the both teams failing to penetrate the defences. It was not the suitable conditions for a game of this calibre. As the officials did not take it seriously to think of the ground condition the match continued.

Ashgabat team after struggling with rain and soggy conditions underfoot got ahead of the local team in the 38th minute when G. Chankayev collected a pass from Arslan Amanov, 1-0. Local team managed to penetrate the defence line on many occasions while the rains reduced to a certain extent but failed to find the correct target.

Amanov who received a good ball sent by the midfielders in a solo effort extended the lead in the 45th minute 2-0. The lemons were taken with the same score line on the board.

Ratnam SC came back for the second session with determination and produced some brilliant soccer with no rain during this session. When the local team was going on the attack the visitors put up a strong challenge to thwart the locals getting their goals. While doing this they also made many inroads in to their opponents territory with less success.

Though the Ratnam strikers played a better game in this session their opponents too made good use of this opportunity to dish out equally good soccer. Last five minutes of the game saw Lankans go on an all out attack but failed to find the net even to reduce the lead.

Iraqi Referee Kadhum Auda Lazim had to pull out the red card to send Rawmy Mohideen for rough play with about 20 minutes play left. This brought things harder for the local team to battle with ten players against a strong outfit.

Referee once again found fault with Serdab Geldiveu and sent him out of the field with seven minutes left for the final whistle.

The chances of Ratnam entering the semi final depend on the outcome of the results from the other two groups. Myanmar made their way to the semi final taking the top spot in Group C.

Myanmary's Kanbawza SC had things easy for them yesterday playing against Transport United from Bhutan. Myanmar soccerites were in top form yesterday and went on to slam seven goals in the first session to return to the pavilion on a happy mood.

In the second session they just played a quite game as they knew their victory cannot be taken away. This session too produced four goals for the winners to go past the double figure mark. 11-0.

This victory yesterday for Myanmar sealed their entry to the semi final of the AFC President's Cup to be held in the latter part of the year in India.

Rustan Saidor from Uzbekistan controlled this game.

Ms Julie Chwee Lian Teo from Singapore served as the Match Commissioner for these Group C games, while Azimi Abdullah from Malaysia was the Assessor appointed by the AFC for the tourney.

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Update: 25 April 2008
Ratnam SC enter semis with 3-2 win

Ratnam Sports Club representing Sri Lanka for the AFC President’s Cup Group C qualifying rounds came up with a superb performance yesterday to beat Kanbawza SC from Myanmar by three goals to two under lights at the Sugathadasa stadium. On the whole, the game was closely contested.

Ratnam SC entered the fray as favourites and kept the pressure on their opponents moving towards their opponents goal at every opportunity. This tactic gave the homesters the advantage when Kasun Jayasuriya found the net in only the ninth minute of the game.

Myanmar forwards too applied pressure from then onwards and made many attempts at the goal to find the equaliser. All their attempts were fruitless as the local custodian made very good saves to thwart the opponents from scoring.

Thiha Kyawa the who got the goal for them against Turkmenistan in the previous game, once again was the hero, scoring the equaliser, heading a good pass received from N. Z. Htet. The latter who collected the ball from a melee neatly lobbed it safely to Kyaw who made no mistake with it. Lemons were taken with the scoreboard showing one goal each.

The second session began with both teams using all they had in store. First it was Kyaw who made inroads to the goal area with the intention of putting his side in front. His efforts brought in good results in the 51st minute which also put them ahead 2-1.

It took only four more minutes for the local team to obtain the equaliser. This was made possible when off a melee the ball moved towards the left wing where Mohamed Azmeer was positioned well for it. Azmeer soon after collecting the ball used his left foot kick which saw the ball sail through to the goal to baffle all present.

The battle continued further with both sides looking to go past each others scoreline. In this session everyone present witnessed top class soccer displayed by both teams. Locals were always on the attack while the Myanmar players had to defend tirelessly while making few breakthroughs to go past the defence line which was heavily guarded.

With just seven minutes play left, Kasun Jayasuriya with a power packed shot got past the Myanmar custodian to put his side in front. 3-2. Ratnam SC during the short period left, made few more unsuccessful attempts to score.

Full credit should go to the local team’s goal keeper Dhammika Senarath who was at his best between the posts. This second win also assured the Ratnam team of a place in the semi-final which is to be played in India later.

Rustum Saidor from Uzbekistan controlled the game well with assistance from Shaji Kurian and Abdul Munaf Sarker.

Kasun Jayasuriya the main striker who netted in two goals was adjudged as the most valuable player of the match.

Ashgabat win 7-1

Ashgabat SC who lost their first game two days ago to Myanmar 1-0 came up with a better performance to record a 7-1 victory over Bhutan.

At half time Ashgabat were in front leading 3-0. The second session was completely dominated by the Turkmenistanis. The solitary goal for the losers came just two minutes away from the final whistle.

Kadhum Anda Lazim of Iran refereed this game. Tomorrow Ratnam SC take on Ashgabat SC Turkmenistan while Kanbawza SC meet Transport United from Bhutan at the same venue.

Follow-up News:

Ratnam sports club hosting the AFC President's group 'C' came out with a brilliant performance to beat Bhutan 7 goals to one under lights at Sugahtadasa Stadium yesterday. Ratnam SC representing Sri Lanka went ahead just 17 minutes into the game when Transport United SC from Bhutan failed to hold the fast running striker EB Channa collecting a good pass from Mohammed Azmeer and slammed in the goal Bhutanese equalled in the 23rd minute through Ugyen Wanchuck.

Six minutes later it was Mohamed Azmeer who moving from left found the net through a well calculated 25 meter kick to extend the lead 2-1.

Azmeer was at his best from the left wing. Once again Channa collected a another good ball and dribbled past the defenders to make it 3-1 in favour of the host team just three minutes left for lemons. Up to this stage Bhutanese could not cope the speed and the short passes and also looked a tired lot.

The turn around commenced with Bhutan trying to make a comeback with quick passes for few minutes tried to penetrate the defence line of Ratnam. The defence line headed by former Sri Lanka skipper Dudley Steinwall stood on to their strength effectively.

This resulted badly for the visitors as they could not make any inroads to the goal territory of their opponents. The visitors could never was able to pose a big threat to the local custodiam at any stage of the game.

Chathura Maduranga the national skipper who manned the midfield well managed to increase the score line making the scoreboard read 4-1 (59th minute). In less than a minute tragedy struck once again for Transport United SC when Sri Lanka 's number one striker Kasun Jayasuriya struck a goal 5-1 in favour of the hosts Ratnam SC.

Six minutes left for the final blow it was Nadeeka Pushpakumara who found the net. Pushpakumara was the second half substitute who replaced Rawmee Mohideen. Pushpakumara's inclusion at this stage was a vice move by the coach Sampath Perera.

Just before the injury time was instructed Channa made his hattrick of goals and also the seventh for the local team. The final score read 7-1.

E.B Channa the highest scorer for the Ratnam team was adjudged as the man of the match to receive the Dialog Cellular phone presented by Dialog the sponsor Mukthar Al-Yarimi from Yemen controlled the game.

Sampath Perera the coach of Ratnam SC soon after match said that victory was a good one but I am not satisfied with the score line. Last year we defeated Bhutanese 6-1 on foreign soil, playing under conditions we are used to the score line should have been much better. I also found out few faults of our senior players. I have to talk to them and put them on the right path before the next game said Sampath.

Bhulanese Manager Harka Tamang said that his side had lost six senior players as they are with the national team that is touring Saudi Arabia . This caused big problems, infact our main striker has to man the defence line. He said all in all the Lankans played a better game.

Turkmenistan beaten one nil

Myanmar defeated Turkmenistan one goal to nil in the first game played at the same reveue. This game on the whole was not that interesting as both teams failed to display good soccer.

In the first session of play both teams failed to produce any goals. This session was a dull period with players not moving fast as expected.

The soccer displayed in the next half improved a little bit with Turkamemnistan making an effort to penetrale the defence of their opponents on many occasions but failed to find the nets. There were almost three good scoring opportunities for Turkmenistanese.

Thiha Kyaw made good use of their feet to dribble past Turkmenistan defenders to score with nearly 18 mininutes left for play. Turkmemistan players could not find the equaliser as they looked a tired lot. The manager San Aung said that they were not happy with few dicisions made by the referee from Bangladesh Abdul Munaf Sarkeer.

Myanmar 's skipper Win Aung Han was adjuged the man of the match.

The match between Ratnam SC and Transport United will be telecast today on Eye channel from 9.30 pm.

RATNAMS SC -Colombo is ready to host the AFC PRESIDENTS CUP which is to be kicked off on the 21st April at Sugathadasa Stadium at 16.00 hrs. The President of Football Federation who is also the President of Ratnams Sports club Mr. Hurley Silveira presided the media conference with the Chief Executive Officer -Mr. Chrysantha Perera and the other officials and briefed media on the conduct of the tournament .He expressed his gratitude to Mr. Manilal Fernando the VP of AFC and the President and officials of AFC for granting the opportunity to host this important tournament in Colombo where his fans and Sri Lankan football fans will enjoy Football. Mr. Chrysantha Perera addressing the weel attended Media conference explained the importance of conducting international football tournaments in Sri Lanka thus giving an opportunity to local clubs to gain experience in organizing international tournaments and for the players to gain much needed international match experiences to meet the regional challenges ahead. This tournament will be a trend setter and will create a gateway to the SAFF championship to be held in Colombo /Male from 3rd June to 13th June, 2008.