Sri Lanka set to meet Uzbekistan for Asian Championship place

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka are all set to encounter Uzbekistan in the Central Asian qualifier for the Senior Asian Volleyball Championship at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Wednesday. The team captained by Janitha Surath consist of both youth players who did well at the last National Championship and experienced players. The match starts at 3.00 pm.

The match is vital for both teams as they aspire to compete in the 21st Senior Asian Volleyball Championship to be held from September 12 to 19 in Japan. The Asian Volleyball Championship, which was first held in 1975, is conducted every two years. So far Sri Lanka has participated 12 times and Uzbekistan has competed only on four occasions. Sri Lanka first participated in the tournament in 1989 and the best result they have achieved so far is the eighth place finish at the 16 edition in Iran in 2011. That helped them qualify for the Super League for the first time. Sri Lanka finished 14th at the last Asian Championships in 2019.

Uzbekistan first took part in this championship in 1997 and entered the event in 2005, 2011 and 2013. They have been placed 16th in all those editions.

The two teams have met only twice (2011, 2013) and on both occasions Sri Lanka beat the Uzbekistan team 3-0. The two teams also met in the Under-23 Asian Championships in 2017. In the first round Sri Lanka beat their counterparts 3-0 but later in the tenth place match the Uzbekistan team emerged victorious in a five set thriller (3-2).

Uzbekistan

Sri Lanka is ranked 53rd according to Volleyball World Rankings. Uzbekistan is ranked 136th in the world. In the Asian region where there are 65 countries, Sri Lanka is ranked 10th while Uzbekistan is ranked 24.

Teams:

Sri Lanka (From):

Janitha Surath (Captain), Tharusha Chamath, Isuru Madushan, Vidura Prabath, Mahela Indeewara, Lasindu Methmal, Ayesh Dilshan, Haritha Hashan, A.H.S.M. Silva, Vinod Madusanka, Nilanka Sanjaya, Kasun Chathuranga, Manoj Suranga, A.W. Lakmal. Maj, Gen. Mahesh Abeyratne (Manager), Channa Jayasekara (Head Coach), Nishan Indika (Asst. Coach), Mangala Kumara (Asst. Coach) .

Uzbekistan (from):

Khosinov Bunyodbek (Captain), Yuldashev Umidjon, Sobirov Islomjon, Rasulov Mukhammadali, Akhtamov Sanjar, Sattorov Dilmurod, Kuchkorov Azizbek, Isamov Khabibullokhon, Sobirov Akhrorjon, Egamkulov Bunyod, Shadmonov Mukhiddin (Head Coach), Nasrullaev Khusan Erkinovich (Secretary-General)