Thirty eight year old Kolonnage Mayura Sampath Perera has been appointed by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) national soccer coach to succeed the Brazilian Marcos Vimcius Mot Ferreira. Sampath Perera who led the Sri Lanka football team from 1993 was promoted to the rank of sergeant by the Air Force when Sri Lanka under his leadership won the SAARC Gold Cup in 1995. Perera is an old Thurstanite.
Sampath to focus on young blood
by Gamini Perera
Thirty eight year old Kolonnage Mayura Sampath Perera has been appointed by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) national soccer coach to succeed the Brazilian Marcos Vimcius Mot Ferreira.
Perera’s sole intention will be to deliver the goods especially with the promising youngsters.
“The year ahead is going to be a crucial one, with the national team called upon to face new challenges, as well as tough opposition. My strategy will be to strengthen the ranks of the team by introducing talented young blood, while continuing to depend on the experience of the senior players,” said Perera.
Sri Lanka is scheduled to meet Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan in the second rounds of the World Cup qualifying round and to also host those countries in the same tournament. The Under-23 team will participate in the SAF Games in Islamabad, Pakistan in March this year. “Those talented players from the Under-23 team will be on focus with the intention of roping them into the senior squad,” said Perera.
Perera also said that, “the training centre for football at Beddegana, Kotte will be ideal for the national team to practise there. This centre, which is now in its concluding stage could be used by our national squad”.
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Sampath Perera who led the Sri Lanka football team from 1993 was promoted to the rank of sergeant by the Air Force when Sri Lanka under his leadership won the SAARC Gold Cup in 1995. Perera is an old Thurstanite.
He also toured many countries with the Sri Lanka team. Maldives, India, Pakistan, Japan, Bangladesh, Oman, Dubai and Nepal are some of them.
Speaking on the recent performances of the national team, Perera said that our boys when on the field in recent times have shown a much more positive approach and are playing with purpose and a strong spirit.
A few of the achievements Sri Lanka gained under the leadership of Perera were (a) winning the Gold Medal in the SAARC Gold Cup tournament, (b) winning the Silver Medal at SAF Games and the SAARC tournament and (c) winning the Bronze medal at the SAF Games.
The above tournaments were between 1993 and 1995 under the two Brazilians Jorge and Marcos Ferreira.