Its a virtual semi-final play-off between India and Sri Lanka as the two teams take on each other in the final match of the group stages of the SAFF Championship....
India shall take on Sri Lanka in an all important Group B game, in what could effectively prove to be a semi-final play-off between the neighbours if, as expected, Afghanistan win their tie against Bhutan.
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
India Nirmal,Gawli,Gourmangi,Nabi; Dias,Jewel,Climax(c),Miranda; Jeje,Sunil; | SRI LANKA Warakagoda, Krishantha, Ruwanthilake, Gunarathne; Wijesiri, Zain, Tuwan, Lankesara; Bandara, Nandeeka |
India shall take on Sri Lanka in an all important Group B game, in what could effectively prove to be a semi-final play-off between the neighbours if, as expected, Afghanistan win their tie against Bhutan.
India come into this tie on a far brighter note than Sri Lanka, having beaten Bhutan 5-0 in their previous encounter, after the disappointing draw against Afghanistan.
Sri Lanka will be kicking themselves for letting an early lead slip against the Afghans in their last encounter. The Islanders were comprehensively outplayed by Afghanistan last time out and will definitely be looking to improve on that performance when they take on the highly fancied Indian team.
India might still have to make do without the services of Samir Naik at right back. The Lankans, on the other hand, will be hoping to re-call star player Chathura Gunarathne, who only started on the bench against Afghanistan due to a bout of flu.
Savio Medeira will definitely be a much relieved man after having finally picked up his first competitive win as India’s coach but he cannot relax yet since a loss to their southern neighbours could still knock the present table-toppers out of the race for the semi-finals.
Sri Lanka coach Jang Jung however will have no option but to attack as his team need a win in order to progress.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Sri Lanka have reached the last four stage in the last two editions and will be looking to complete a hat-trick with a win against India.
India have never been knocked out of the Championship in the group stages.
- The two nations have played against each other just four times in the history of the SAFF Cup, with each team winning one game each while the other two have been draws.
- Overall the two teams have played each other 15 times with India having the clear advantage with nine wins, while four draws have been played between the two teams. Sri Lanka has only won twice.
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