Sri Lanka, minus their head coach Abdullah Al-Mutairi, will meet Brunei at the Bangkok National Stadium in Thailand today (5), as part of a FIFA International Friendly Series 2025 match.
The encounter today will gear them for their critical AFC Second-Round Qualifier against Chinese Taipei next Tuesday (10), under lights at the Racecourse Grounds in Colombo.
Al Mutairi, a Kuwaiti national is currently serving a FIFA imposed suspension for his verbal outburst at the assistant referee, during Sri Lanka’s 1-0 loss to Thailand, in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round tie in late March.
In his absence, FFSL President Jaswer Umar has hired a caretaker coach from the Aspire Academy in Qatar, working in tandem with the Kuwait Football Association, to train the Lankans in these two fixtures.
The game today against the 185th ranked Brunei, will directly impact the current positions of both nations in the FIFA World Rankings and hence football analysts reckon a close tussle for supremacy, will be on the cards for spectators.
The Lankans, led by experienced goalkeeper Sujan Perera, have undergone a two-week long preparatory training camp in Thailand ahead of the game and as usual are expected to bank on their overseas-based stars, to overcome the challenge posed by their rivals.
(JK)
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