SL soccerites out to improve FIFA Rankings

By Susil Premalal

 Sri Lanka will look to improve their FIFA Rankings when they compete in two major international football tournaments in October, this year.

Their biggest challenge will be the 13th SAFF Football Championships, which will be held in the Maldives from October 1 to 13.

 Their second assignment in October will be the AFC Under-23 Asia Cup - 2022 Group ‘A’ Qualifiers from October 23 to 31 in Doha, Qatar.

Football Sri Lanka (FSL) President Umar Jaswar said that Sri Lanka will have the opportunity of competing in a minimum of 7 to 10 internationals games during this period.

 The number of teams competing in the SAAF Championship has come down to five following the FIFA suspension on Pakistan and the non-participation of Bhutan due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 Sri Lanka will battle it out with India, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Maldives for top honours with the two best teams qualifying to play in the final encounter.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are scheduled to play Syria, Yemen and Qatar in the AFC Under-23 Asia Cup - 2022 Group ‘A’ Qualifiers.

 These two international tournaments will also be important for Sri Lanka’s overseas Coach Amir Alagic, who is determined to consolidate his position.