SAFF Championship: Fourth match Srilanka Vs Bhutan pre match preview

SRI LANKA Goalkeepers: Manjula Fernando, W.S.D. Sujan Perera, Asanka Viraj, Defenders: R. N. Bandara Warakagoda, Suranda Bandara, W. Rohana Ruwanthilake (Captain), M. Baranudeen, K. C. K. Lankesara, Dhanushka Wijesiri, Chameera Krishantha, Midfielders: Nadeeka Pushpakumara,Thejan Fernando, Chathura Gunarathne, S. M. M. Nazar, Tuwan Rizni, M. N. M. Issadeen, Strikers: S. Sanjeeu, Nagoor Meera, M. I. Mohamed Zain, Nipuna Bandara

BHUTAN Goalkeepers: Leki, Hari Gurung, Defenders: Pema, Kinley Tenzin, Pema Rinchen, Sonam Tenzin, Kinley Wangchuk, Dawa Gyeltshen, Kelzang Dorji, Midfielders: Kinley Dorji, Nima Sangay, Karan Gurung, Passang Tshering, Chimi Dorji, Strikers: Chencho, Karma Tshering, Kinga Thinley, Tshering Wangdi, Nawang Dendup

Sri Lanka plays Bhutan in their opening group A match. Bhutan will be the underdogs
here facing a team which is ranked above them. Bhutan were once the second lowest
ranked team in the world. Also, Sri Lanka have won the SAFF Championship before, while
Bhutan are still on the look out for their first major trophy. 

Chencho from Bhutan plays for the Royal Wahingdoh FC in I-League 2nd division. He
scored two goals against Mohun Bagan in the Federation cup in 2011. The striker is one of
the best players of the team and could play an important role.While Srilankan players mostly play for the local clubs. Lets watch if Bhutan can bring some surprise in fourth match of the tournament as Afghanistan is doing in third match.

Facts About Two opponents

• Sri Lanka national team was known as the Ceylon national football Team until
  1972 when Ceylon was renamed Sri Lanka.

• Sri Lanka have won the SAFF championship once and reached the semi-finals of
  the previous tournament.

• On the day of the 2002 World Cup final, Bhutan (then the second lowest
  ranked team in the world) played a match against the lowest ranked team in the
  world, Montserrat. This match was jokingly called ‘the other final’ - Bhutan won 4-0.

• Bhutan were the only FIFA member nation to not try to qualify for the 2010
  World Cup.

• Both, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, are currently coached by foreign coaches. South Korean
  Jang Jung is the coach of Sri Lanka. And Japanese Hiroaki Matsuyama is the
  Bhutanese coach.
• Field Report
   Sri Lanka
   Bhutan
  Head to Head

  SAFF Championship ‎(SAFF)‎

  06-Dec-2009

  Sri Lanka 6 - Bhutan 0

  Last Five Matches

  Sri Lanka
  11-Apr-2011	Nepal 0 - Sri Lanka 0	ACC
  09-Apr-2011	Sri Lanka 0 - Afghanistan 1	ACC
  07-Apr-2011	Korea DPR (PRK) 4 - Sri Lanka 0	ACC
  20-Feb-2010	Sri Lanka 0 - Bangladesh 0	ACC
  18-Feb-2010	Sri Lanka 1 - Tajikistan 3	ACC

  Bhutan
  25-Mar-2011	Afghanistan 2 - Bhutan 0	ACC
  23-Mar-2011	Bhutan 0 - Afghanistan 3	ACC
  08-Dec-2009	Pakistan 7 - Bhutan 0	SAFF
  06-Dec-2009	Sri Lanka 6 - Bhutan 0	SAFF
  04-Dec-2009	Bangladesh 4 - Bhutan 1	SAFF