Lions look forward to maul Cambodia

Wednesday, 4 September 2024 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

AFC Asia Cup 2027 Qualifier

By Althaf Nawaz

The National Football team tagged as ‘Golden Lions’ are ready to take on the higher ranked Cambodia in the key AFC Asia Cup 2027 (Saudi Arabia) qualifying round match on 5 September (Thursday) at Race Course Stadium which is going to be a cliff hanger encounter for both countries.

The Lankan dribblers have transformed into a major force to be reckoned with, and it was clearly visible how the players have progressed since Interim Coach Abdullah AlMutairi took over. They also demonstrated a completely different pattern of play which illustrated a new Sri Lankan identity.

In a previous interview AlMutairi disclosed his playing style which is ‘Offensive Football’ rather than the opposite approach of defensive play.

With the induction of 13 eligible players playing in various leagues overseas, the Lankan camp has beefed up their strength which subsequently has given a big boost for the local lads to pull their socks and the deliver goods for their country with the support of the overseas players.

The 204 ranked Golden Lions will lock horns against the 180 ranked Cambodia team which has several overseas players playing in Japan, Ivory Coast, USA and New Zealand. They too faced some stiff challenges in the recent past and were able to notch up a single win over Mongolia, but lost their second round game.

Nevertheless, a win at home will guarantee the Lankan lads a fifty percent pathway to the Asian Cup group stage before they travel to Cambodia on the 10th for the second leg.

Football Sri Lanka, President Jaswar Umar urged the football loving fraternity to flock to the venue in numbers to cheer the local team and inspire them to win this game and embark on a journey to open up a new chapter in local football.

“We are happy and delighted with the progress of the National team. At one stage we were in a spot of bother after our regular head coach Andy Morrison indicated his non-availability due to an injury. But we managed to find an alternative with the help of Tim Cahill from Aspire Qatar who were quite magnanimous to accommodate our request for an interim coach at very short notice.”

“AlMutairi’s presence here is a tower of strength for the game where he has unleashed a new pattern of play which is attacking football rather than defensive mode of play. The whole squad has shown a tremendous impetus from their last outing in Brunei. What we could tell the football loving public in the country is to keep your fingers crossed and expect something exceptional from the boys on Thursday,” concluded Jaswar.