2006 FIFA World Cup Germany – Preliminary Competition
Asia Zone – Group 08
16 October 2004

Sri Lanka National Team will play against Saudi Arabia team in their 02nd leg match at Damam City Stadium on 17th November 2004.

Sri Lankan soccerites led by Dudley Steinwall left the island yesterday for Saudi Arabia to play their final game against hosts in the World Cup 2006 Germany qualifying round game.

Highly improved Sri Lanka team who face the second leg against Saudis today will be a battle everyone is looking for. Earlier the Lankans lost one goal to nil, which was highly praised by the soccer fans in Asia, as Saudis were the strongest team in the group 8.

Sri Lanka have used all their tactics and experience in store to hold on to at least a draw here. If they do so it will be a great show for the Lankans. During the past few months Sri Lanka playing against Indonesia in the second leg drew two-all at home after losing the first in Indonesia one-nil.

Lankan lads also came up with a fine performance against Kazakstan in the second leg played in Sri Lanka holding the visitors to a two-all draw.

In the first-leg Lankans lost in Kazakstan two-nil. So far the Lankans have done well in the second round games drawing both games. A draw today will not only give the Lankans a morale but also will go forward in the rankings.

Coach Sampath Perera has done an extremely good job so far to keep the boys in fine fettle to move ahead. He is confident that the boys will fare well here too.

The team that left for Saudi Arabia: K. G. N. Nandana Kumara, N. K. Fuard, N. M. Asmeer Ali, M. Isuru Uditha Perera, Dudley Lincoln Steinwall (captain), S. D. Thilakarathne (goal keeper), N. C. Abeysekara, J. Kasun Nadeeka Weerarathna, W. M. Dilshan, M. Nazar, H. Hameed, Mohamed Azwar, J. D. R. R. Mudiyanselage, P. P. Samarajeewa, B. A. Ranjith Jayavilal, M. M. N. Izadeen, Samantha Fernando, M. Hamza Hassan, G. P. C. Karunaratne.

Wasantha Wickramasinghe, ASP (Team Mnager), Mr. Sampath Perera (Head Coach), Mr. Lalith Weerasinghe (Asst. Coach), Mr. S. N. P. K. Silva (Masseur) will accompany Sri Lankan contingent.

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