Sri Lanka look to upset Thailand

Sri Lanka coach and captain at the media briefing 

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka will take on Thailand in their AFC Asian Cup Qualifier (Saudi Arabia 2027) final round Group ‘D’ match at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Thailand today.

Earlier, Sri Lanka recorded a close 2-1 win against Laos in their FIFA International friendly match and will take on their opponents with a winning mentality.

Thailand, who are Asia’s number one with a FIFA ranking of 97 have never lost to Sri Lanka in an international encounter.

Sri Lanka lost to Thailand 0-2 in their last match of the Asian Qualifiers.

In four World Cup qualifiers between the two countries, Sri Lanka has lost to Thailand 0-3 and 2-4 in 2001 and 0-3 and 0-1 in 1993.

Sri Lankan football authorities expect a tight match against Thailand as many players of Sri Lankan and foreign origin will be representing Sri Lanka this time.

“The Sri Lankan Team played brilliantly in the match against Laos. But we know that Thailand is a different and stronger team. Therefore, we hope to proceed with an attacking system from the beginning to the end of the match,” said the Sri Lanka team captain Sujan Perera.

“We hope to name the same team that played in the match against Laos. But we hope to change their positions. Our only goal is to win and finish the match undefeated,” added the Sri Lanka Captain.

The Sri Lanka football squad: Sujan Perera (captain), Chalana Chameera, Mohamed Aman, Kaveesha Lakpriya, Mohamed Hasmeer, Mohamed Mursith, Fifkhan Mohamed, Mohamed Thilkam, Anujan Rajendram, Waseem Razeek, Oliver Kelaart, Barath Suresh, Adhavan Rajamohan, Leon Perera, Wade Dekker, Jack Hingeat, Joson Thayapran, Claudio Kammerknecht, Sam Durratn, William Thomson, Jeromy Perera, Harsha Fernando and Garrett Kelly.