SA GAMES: Sri Lanka's under 23 soccer team for the 10th South Asian Games will take the field on August 14 to take on the Maldivians in their opening game at the Sugathadasa Stadium at 6.0p.m. The Lankan team will be led by goal Keeper Sandun Devinda.

The SA Games Soccer Championship is Scheduled to commence on Monday before the Games proper which is scheduled get off its mark with a colourful ceremony on Friday the 18th of August these details were disclosed at a Media briefing held to introduce the Lankan soccerites selected for the SA Games at the Football House on Thursday.

Chrysantha Perera the CEO of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka introducing the team said that the players are lucky to undergo training from the Korean coach Jang Jung who has lot of experience on the job.

Korean Soccer Association President who was in the island few months ago promised to help local soccer with a view to improving the standard of the game here as well as the of the Asian region. As promised he made arrangements to send a reputed coach to prepare the team for the SA Games.

Jang Jung who is called as JJ said he is highly satisfied with the progress made by the players who underwent training. Answering a question he said that the players are a set of boys who are dedicated towards the game. They are interested in learning the game at its best.

They were very co-operative during their training period, so I did not have much difficulties in handling them. They are all in good shape to face opposition that is expected to come from the countries participating in this championship.

They are ready to counter attack the strongest team. They are young and will definitely make their way to the national team whenever the management requires them. I know their ambition is to play for their country, at present all are in good fine form to bring in good results from this championship, said Jung.

Jung also paid a tribute to the officials of the Federation for the assistance provided during the alst few months with the team.

Manilal Fernando Chairman of the Management Committee of the FFSL said it is the ripe time for the team to bring the expected results to the country at this Games.

It is the duty of the players to work hard as team to reap the best harvest from the opportunity they are given tokeep the Lion flag flying during the Games. Players must not be selfish they must put the country first and play clean soccer to show they do towards country and for the game.

He further added that the players have to travel all the way fromm Mount Lavinia to Colombo for their matches which is a strenuous matter but they will have to bear it great responsibilty.

It is also important that spectators gather in large numers to encourage the players as they on national duty to bring honour to the country.

Fernando also stated that the captaincy was decided on the recomendation made by the coach from Korea. Jung has given his decision to appoint the casptain after observing the players on every aspect of their movements on and off the field" said Fernando.

Kasun Jayasuriya who plays a pivotal position as striker in the national team for nearly a decade addressing the team members to encourage the young team said "I reached this standard in soccer after undergoing lot of hardships, but at present I have got everything to be happy".

I request these players to play hard and fast soccer to win a medal at this championship. We have failed to take the gold medal in the past nine South Asin Games. Today we have got the advantage playing in Sri Lanka, players must take the maximum use this opportunity to win" said Jayasuriya.

The Pool:

S. Sandun Devinda, Captain, Age 22 years, Goal Keerper Seevali Vidyalaya, Ratnapura, Clubs: Police SC, New Radiant SC Maldives, Al Hosen SC, Jordan, Pahan SC Malaysaia, Have been aregular member in the National team.

Asanka Viraj, Goal Keeper, Age 18, Lalith Athulathmudali Vidyalaya, Ratmalana, Clubs: Gemunu SC Ratmalana, Eksath Sc Ratmalana, Saunders SC,

H.M. Ajith Kumara, Goal Keeper, Age 21, Isipatana Vidyalaya, Clubs: Sri Lanka Navy S, Cooray Sc, Rudra SC, Golden Star Sc, Negombo Youth SC.

S.D.Lakshan Thirantha Perera, Mid fielder Age 22, St. Aloysius College, Galle, Clubs: Sri Lanka Army, New Star SC, Ratnapura, Hirdaramani SC.

THilina Suranda Bandara, Mid fielder, Age 18, Wickramabahu Vidyalaya, Gampola, Club: Red Sun SC Gampola.

W.W.Sudara Madhusanka Mid fielder, age 20, A.E. Gunasinghe Vidyalaya Colombo, Club: Saunders SC.

M. Anton Tissara Thejan Fernando, Mid fielder, Age 17, St. Benedict's College Colombo, Club: Old Bens SC.

R. Surath Lochana, Mid fielder, Age 22, Weluwana Vidyalaya Colombo, Club: Negombo youth SC.

K.M. Thilanka Nalinda, Mid fielder, Age 22, Ampitiya MV Knady, Clubs: Sisu SC Kandy, Kalutara Park SC.

V.D. Rohana Dinesh Ruwantilleke, Vice Captain, Defender, Age 22, Wickramabahau Vidyalaya, Gampola, Club: Red Sun SC.

Dumidu Wasantha Hettiarachchi, Defender, Age 22, Kirillawela MV, Club: Renown SC.

W.M. Ruchira Priyankara Fernando, Defender, Age 19, Joseph Vaaz College, Wennappuwa, Club: New Young SC.

T.Mahesh Sachitra, Defender, Age 22, Weluwana Vidyalaya, Colombo, Clubs: M.H. Mohamed SC, Borella, Negombo Youth SC.

B. Shiwanka Defender, Age 21, St. Aloysius College, Galle, Clubs: Galle Youth SC, Victory SC, Ratnam SC.

K. Nisal Nilanga Defender, Age 23, D.S. Senanayake Vidyalaya, Colombo, Club: Saunders SC.

D. Anton Nimal Fernando Striker, Age 23, St. Anthony's MV, Negombo, Club: Negombo Youth SC.

K. Ranga Pradeep, Striker, Age 23, St. Mary' College, Negombo, Club: Jupiters SC, Negombo.

K.H. Nadeeka Pushpakumara, Striker,Aage 20, Devapathiraja MV, Galle, Clubs: Galle United SC Victory SC, Ratnam SC.

E.B. Nuwantha Chamara, Striker, Age 20, St. Thomas Kumara Vidyalaya, Club: Police SC.

R. Dimunda Rukmal Pinto Striker, Age 19, St. Anthony's College, Wattala, Club: Old Bens SC.

Clement de Silva (SP)Manager, Jang Jung (Head Coach), E.B. Anthony (coach), D. Chandrasiri (coach)