By Susil Premalal

This will be a decisive year for European Pro-Licence Coach, Amir Alagic from Bosnia who is Sri Lanka’s Head Coach, according to Anura de Silva, President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL).

Having come on a two-year contract in January 2020, Alagic has also taken on the role of Technical Director in addition to Head Coach of Sri Lanka.

The main challenge during his tenure would be the 13th SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Cup to be held in Bangladesh from September 14 to 25, FFSL President told the Daily Mirror today.

He is drawing a salary of US $6,000 per month from the FFSL.

The FFSL Head is confident Sri Lanka could regain the SAFF Cup after a lapse of 21 years.

“Our target is to win the 2021 SAFF Cup. Since we won the title 21 years ago when it was hosted in Colombo, Sri Lanka never got another opportunity to emerge champions.”

“Our aim is to become champions again. If not becoming champions, the National Team should progress to the semi-finals. The FFSL has provided all facilities to both players and coaches alike.”

“We have a 22-member National Pool and hope to invite 14 foreign players for training shortly. It has been delayed because of visa issues. If Amir Alagic fails to achieve our target of champions or a semi-final spot, we will have to take a decision on his future,” said de Silva.

In the history of the SAFF Championship, India has won the title seven times and Maldives twice.

Sri Lanka (1995), Bangladesh (2003) and Afghanistan (2013) have won the title on one occasion. Bhutan is the only country which has never won the tournament.