• Set to bank on its overseas-based players

Sri Lanka will be without their head coach Abdullah Al Mutairi for two key FIFA international fixtures (away and home) next month, while two important players return to the 23-man squad in preparation for the matches.

Sri Lanka is scheduled to confront Brunei Darussalam in Bangkok in a FIFA Friendly on 5 June, after which they are to host Chinese Taipei at Racecourse Grounds in Colombo five days later, as part of a must-win AFC Second Round Qualifier. 

Al Mutairi has been slapped with a suspension by the game’s global controlling body for his public spat with a referee, during Sri Lanka’s encounter against Thailand in Bangkok during an AFC Qualifier late last year.

In Al Mutairi’s absence, an interim coach from Aspire Academy in Qatar-working in tandem with the Kuwait Football Association, is set to guide the Lankans in the forthcoming games.

Among two notable inclusions in the squad are aggressive midfielder Waseem Razeek and experienced winger Dillion de Silva who regained his place following an injury-enforced lay off.

Lankans will be led by seasoned goalkeeper Sujan Perera, with several overseas-based players including Samuel Durrant, Jason Thayaparan, Wade Dekker, Jack Hingert, Oliver Kelaart and Claudio Kammerknecht, expected to provide invaluable experience and versatility.

The Lankan team’s defence will be manned by the likes of Barath Suresh, Mohamed Hasmeer and Anujan Rajendram, while Faizer Aman, Mohamed Mursith and Chalana Chameera will control their midfield.

The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has also included promising young talent in the form of Leon Perera, Kaveesh Fernando and Remiyen Muthuccumaru, with the aim of giving them a taste of international football.

SL football squad:

Garrett Kelly, Mohammed Thilham, Dillon de Silva, Sujan Perera (captain), Barath Suresh, Mohamed Hasmeer, Anujan Rajendram, Faizer Aman, Rahul Suresh, Chalana Chameera, Remiyen Muthuccumaru, Kaveesh Fernando, Samuel Durrant, Mohamed Mursith, Jason Thayaparan, Steven Sacayaradjy, Wade Dekker, Waseem Razeek, Leon Perera, Oliver Kelaart, Jack Hingert, Adhavan Rajamohan and Claudio Kammerknecht

(JK)