23-member team take wing to Bhutan today

By Althaf Nawaz

A 23-member Under-17 football squad will take wing to Bhutan today to participate in the SAFF Under-17 Championship 2024 to be held from 20 to 30 September at Changlimithang Stadium in Bhutan.

M. Hafeel Akram leads the team and will be ably assisted by Nadal Aaron Senapala.

One of the iconic tournaments competed in this age category, this event has attracted seven teams – defending champions India, last year runner-up Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh and hosts Bhutan.

The cynosure of all eyes will be on the Lankan camp where six overseas players will represent the country (qualified to play based on the criteria that their parents were born in Sri Lanka).

Two players Zakariya Zafarullah and Ishaq Mouffer are from United Arab Emirates, Joshua Vanvelzon and Rehan Galaniha are from Australia, while T. Harishan and Irusha Jayathunga are from Norway and Italy respectively.

Initially, a pool of 55 was selected from all parts of the country, which was later pruned down to 35. The national selectors entrusted the final selection to the team coaches who scouted the best 23 players, which comprise three goal keepers.

Sri Lanka is in Group ‘B’ along with hosts Bhutan, Pakistan and Nepal, while India, Maldives and Bangladesh will tussle out in Group ‘A’.

The top two teams of the respective groups at end of the group stage matches will qualify for the semi-finals to be staged on 28, and the grand finale will be on 30. All matches will be played at a single venue.

At the previous edition of this tournament, which was hosted by Sri Lanka few years back, the Lankan camp managed to notch up only a single win over Maldives, while losing the remaining games.

According to team sources, the squad is a well-balanced one, and with the inclusion of the overseas players who have immense experience playing in their leagues are likely to spring some surprises.

Squad: M. Hafeel Akram (C), M. Ifam Mohamed Zaid, Vijayaratnam Harish, Daemyn Anthony Gunawardena, M. Malik Ahamed Hijaazy, I.M. Irshad Humaidh, N. Aaron Senapala (VC), T. Dewnija Weerarathna Jayasooriya, L. Senula Brian Weerappuli, K. Hirun Wirasha, K. Anupa Pabasara, M. Imran Mohamed Ishak, M. Hisamudeen Mohamed Ibrahim, Tharmathevan Harishan, A. Hameed Mohamed Irfan, M. Kathar Shaathin Shaheed, Joshua Presron Vanvelzon, Rehan Seth Galaniha, Zakariya Zafarullah, J.G. Irusha Marco, I. Mohamed Yaqoub Mouffer, M. Aalam Akram, A. Raheem Mohammadu Ramseen

Officials: Head Coach Aruna Sampath, Assistant Coach S. Sri Kanth, Goalkeeper Coach M.A.M. Azwar, Physio Ruwan Wanigasena, Assistant Physio Senal Perera, Manager Sugath Karunathilaka 

 Match itinerary:

21 - Vs Bhutan

23 - Vs Nepal

25 - Vs Pakistan