Sri Lanka plan winning start against Bhutan in SAFF opener

Sri Lanka, ranked 184th in the FIFA world rankings, are targeting a winning start against 192nd-ranked Bhutan. When the sides met in Bangkok five months ago, Sri Lanka won 4-1 with goals from Wade Dekker, Anthony Suresh, Waseem Razeek and Kevin Anthony, taking full control in the second half after leading 1-0 at half-time.

The countries have met nine times since 2006, Sri Lanka winning seven and Bhutan two. Coach Abdullah Al Mutairi knows past results will count for nothing without a strong performance, and said recent matches against Seychelles and Mauritius had improved coordination and exposed weaknesses.

"We always want to focus game by game and progress step by step without haste," he told reporters in Dhaka. "My goal is to qualify for the Asia Cup 2032 for the first time in history." Given home advantage and player quality, he also rates hosts Bangladesh as potential winners.

FFSL president Jaswar Umar said the side wanted to win its group games and secure a semi-final place first, with the next target the final on 17 November.

Experienced goalkeeper and captain Sujan Perera, who plays for Fortis FC in Bangladesh, will be key; he said his knowledge of local players and conditions will help against the hosts on 11 November.

Sri Lanka's attacking strength could decide the Bhutan match. The squad includes forwards Sam Durrant, Oliver Kelaart, Dillon de Silva, Rahul Suresh and Remiyan Muthucumaru alongside Razeek and Dekker, plus midfielders Garrett Kelly, Leon Perera and Adhavan Rajamohan. The side must avoid leaving defensive gaps, however, as Bhutan may sit deep and counter-attack.

Sri Lanka won their only SAFF title in 1995, beating India in the Colombo final. Three decades on, beating Bhutan would strengthen their bid to progress from Group A before the Bangladesh match decides their standing.