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Sri Lanka hopes rest on Ratnam SC as they lock horns with Bhutan, Myanmar and Turkmenistan in Group ‘C’ of the AFC President’s Cup at the Sugathadasa Stadium from April 23-27.
Nepal, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh are the teams in Group ‘A’ with the matches to be played in Bangladesh from April 20-24. Group ‘B’ will have Cambodia, Chinese Taipei and defending champions Kyrgyzstan.
The champions from each group and the best runner-up (the runner-up with the highest number of goals scored) will qualify for the semi-finals.
The AFC Cup, which is being held for the fourth consecutive year, will have a more competitive setup this year as Kyrgyzstan eye the plum title for the third successive year. Having won the title in 2007 and ’06, Kyrgyzstan will have to record a win this year to complete a ‘hat-trick’ of wins and Tajikistan, who won the very first AFC Cup in 2005, will also be looking forward to bag their second win in the championship.
The teams in Group ‘C’ are Bhutan, who will be represented by Transport United Football Club, Myanmar, represented by Kanbawza Football Club, Turkmenistan, which will be represented by the Ashgabat Football club, and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka will be represented by Premier League champions Ratnam SC which was founded in the early 50s. Ratnam have achieved many feats and their most glorious moment came when they won the Kit Premier League Championship twice in row in 2005/06 and 2006/07. They have won the FA Cup on five occasions, including four in a row from 2002 to ’06.
As a dominant local soccer club, Ratnam have also had some international experience as well. They have participated in the 3rd AFC President’s Cup in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2007 as well as in the 2nd AFC Cup held in Malaysia in 2006.
Group ‘C’ of the championship is organised by Ratnam SC in association with the Football Federation of Sri Lanka and the title sponsors are Holcim, Dialog Telecom and Unique Apparels.
AFC President’s Cup 2008 schedule
(Qualification Round - Group ‘C’ matches at the Sugathadasa)
23 April:
Turkmenistan (Ashgabat) Vs Myanmar (Kanbawza) at 4.00 pm
Sri Lanka (Ratnam SC) Vs Bhutan (Transport United FC) at 6. 30 pm
25 April:
Bhutan Vs Turkmenistan at 4.00 pm
Myanmar Vs Sri Lanka at 6.30 pm
27 April:
Bhutan Vs Myanmar at 4.00 pm
Turkmenistan Vs Sri Lanka at 6.30 pm
