News
Can Morocco change history and win the FIFA World Cup?
The Moroccan team has reached the semi-finals by defeating many strong teams. Their opponents in the semi-finals are France.
Morocco is two more wins away from changing history and winning the FIFA World Cup.
The team is still unbeaten in this year’s tournament and has scored just once – against Canada in the group stage.
Morocco has already beaten strong names such as Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. But next up for the team on their way to the World Cup is soccer superpower defending champions France, who will meet in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
If they overcome France, coach Walid Regragui’s side will face either 2018 runners-up Croatia or 1986 World Cup winners Argentina for world football’s biggest prize on Sunday.
Few believed Morocco would win this stage of the World Cup when the tournament kicked off in Qatar on November 20.
ඉතිහාසය වෙනස් කරමින් මොරොක්කෝවට පාපන්දු ලෝක කුසලානය දිනා ගත හැකිද?
ප්රබල කණ්ඩායම් රැසක් පරාජයට පත් කරමින් මොරොක්කෝ කණ්ඩායම අවසන් පූර්ව වටයට තෙරී පත්ව ඇත. අවසන් පූර්ව වටයේ ඔවුන්ගේ ප්රතිවාදීන් වන්නේ ප්රංශ කණ්ඩායම වේ.
ඉතිහාසය වෙනස් කරමින් පාපන්දු ලෝක කුසලානය ජයග්රහණය කිරීමට මොරොක්කෝ කණ්ඩායමට තවත් ජයග්රහණ දෙකක් ඉතිරිව තිබේ.
මෙම වසරේ තරඟාවලියේදී කණ්ඩායම තවමත් පරාජය වී නොමැති අතර එක් වරක් පමණක් – කණ්ඩායම් අදියරේදී කැනඩාවට එරෙහිව ස්වකීය ගෝලයක් ලබා ඇත.
මොරොක්කෝව දැනටමත් ක්රොඒෂියාව, බෙල්ජියම, ස්පාඤ්ඤය සහ පෘතුගාලය වැනි ප්රබල නම් දරා ඇති කණ්ඩායම් පරාජය කොට ඇත. නමුත් කණ්ඩායමට ලෝක කුසලානය කරා යන ගමනේදී මීලගට හමු වන්නේ පාපන්දු සුපිරි බලවතා වන වත්මන් ශූරයන් වන ප්රංශය වන අතර ඔවුන් බදාදා අවසන් පූර්ව වටයේදී මුණ ගැසීමට නියමිතය.
ඔවුන් ප්රංශය අභිබවා යාමට සමත් වුවහොත්, පුහුණුකරු Walid Regragui ගේ කණ්ඩායම ඉරිදා ලෝක පාපන්දු ක්රීඩාවේ විශාලතම ත්යාගය සඳහා 2018 දී අනුශූරයන් වූ ක්රොඒෂියාව හෝ 1986 ලෝක කුසලාන ජයග්රාහකයන් වන ආර්ජන්ටිනාව සමඟ තරඟ කරනු ඇත.
නොවැම්බර් 20 වෙනිදා කටාර්හිදී තරඟාවලිය ආරම්භ වන විට ලෝක කුසලානයේ මෙම අදියරේදී මොරොක්කෝව ජයග්රහණය කරනු ඇතැයි ස්වල්ප දෙනෙක්ගේ විශ්වාසය විය.
மொராக்கோ வரலாற்றை மாற்றி FIFA உலகக் கோப்பையை வெல்ல முடியுமா?
பலம் வாய்ந்த பல அணிகளை வீழ்த்தி மொராக்கோ அணி அரையிறுதிக்கு முன்னேறியுள்ளது. அரையிறுதியில் இவர்களின் எதிரிகள் பிரான்ஸ்.
மொராக்கோ வரலாற்றை மாற்றுவதற்கும் FIFA உலகக் கோப்பையை வெல்வதற்கும் இன்னும் இரண்டு வெற்றிகள் உள்ளன.
அந்த அணி இந்த ஆண்டு போட்டியில் இன்னும் தோற்கடிக்கப்படவில்லை மற்றும் குழு கட்டத்தில் கனடாவுக்கு எதிராக ஒரு முறை மட்டுமே அடித்துள்ளது.
மொராக்கோ ஏற்கனவே குரோஷியா, பெல்ஜியம், ஸ்பெயின் மற்றும் போர்ச்சுகல் போன்ற வலுவான பெயர்களை வீழ்த்தியுள்ளது. ஆனால் உலகக் கோப்பைக்கு செல்லும் அணிக்கு அடுத்ததாக கால்பந்து வல்லரசான நடப்பு சாம்பியன் பிரான்ஸ், புதன்கிழமை அரையிறுதியில் சந்திக்கும்.
பிரான்ஸை வெல்ல முடிந்தால், பயிற்சியாளர் வாலிட் ரெக்ராகுயின் அணி ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை உலக கால்பந்தின் மிகப்பெரிய பரிசாக 2018 ரன்னர்-அப் குரோஷியா அல்லது 1986 உலகக் கோப்பை வென்ற அர்ஜென்டினாவை எதிர்கொள்ளும்.
நவம்பர் 20 ஆம் தேதி கத்தாரில் போட்டிகள் தொடங்கியபோது மொராக்கோ உலகக் கோப்பையின் இந்த கட்டத்தில் வெல்லும் என்று சிலர் நம்பினர்.
Cricket
Team Green Clinch Women’s NSL T20 Title with Commanding Final Victory
Team Green were crowned champions of the Women’s National Super League T20 tournament after producing a dominant six-wicket victory over Team Blue in the final played at the P. Sara Oval on Saturday.
The championship triumph was built on a disciplined and clinical bowling performance, as Team Green dismissed Team Blue for a modest total of 95 in 18.1 overs. Oshadi Ranasinghe led the attack with an outstanding four-wicket haul, applying sustained pressure through the middle overs and preventing any meaningful recovery. She received strong support from Malsha Shehani, Kawya Kavindi, Nimasha Madushani, and Udeshika Prabodani, as Team Blue struggled to establish partnerships.
Team Blue found resistance through Chamari Athapaththu, who played a determined innings of 51 from 41 deliveries. Her knock helped stabilise the innings after early setbacks, but regular wickets at the other end stalled momentum. Once Athapaththu was dismissed, the remainder of the batting lineup was unable to provide support, leading to a rapid collapse.
In response, Team Green approached the chase with calm assurance. Despite losing a few early wickets, they remained firmly in control throughout the pursuit of the modest target. Nilakshika Silva anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 36, rotating the strike effectively and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Oshadi Ranasinghe completed a memorable all-round performance by contributing an unbeaten 16, ensuring there were no late complications.
Team Green reached the target at 98 for 4 in 18.1 overs, sealing the title with 11 balls to spare. Team Blue’s bowlers attempted to apply pressure, but the total proved insufficient to trouble a well-organised batting unit.
The victory capped a successful campaign for Team Green, underlining their consistency and balance throughout the tournament, while Oshadi Ranasinghe’s all-round brilliance stood out on the biggest stage.
Brief Scores
Team Blue – 95 all out in 18.1 overs
Chamari Athapaththu 51; Oshadi Ranasinghe 4/17, Udeshika Prabodani 1/17
Team Green – 98/4 in 18.1 overs
Nilakshika Silva 36*, Oshadi Ranasinghe 16*; Devmi Vihanga 1/22
Cricket
Milan, Dunith Likely to Return for ODIs as Sri Lanka Prepare for England Series
England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026
All-rounders Milan Rathnayake and Dunith Wellalage are set to make their return to Sri Lanka’s One-Day International squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, which is scheduled to begin in the coming days.
Sri Lanka selectors have opted for a well-balanced squad that blends experienced campaigners with emerging talent as the hosts prepare for a demanding home series against a strong England side.
Charith Asalanka will continue to lead the ODI team as captain, with his role in the middle order expected to be pivotal. Asalanka’s ability to absorb pressure and accelerate when required will be key against England’s varied bowling attack.
At the top of the order, Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara are expected to open the batting. Nissanka’s consistency and sound technique remain central to Sri Lanka’s ODI plans, while Mishara will be eager to convert starts into meaningful contributions. Their partnership will be crucial in providing solid foundations.
Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis adds experience and aggression to the middle order, offering Sri Lanka flexibility in both tempo and shot selection. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Janith Liyanage further strengthen the batting unit, with both players capable of anchoring the innings or playing decisive roles when momentum is needed.
The squad features strong all-round depth, with Kamindu Mendis offering versatility with both bat and ball. The return of Wanindu Hasaranga significantly enhances Sri Lanka’s all-round options, with his leg-spin expected to play a decisive role on home pitches. Dunith Wellalage’s inclusion adds another spin-bowling all-rounder capable of controlling the middle overs.
Milan Rathnayake’s likely return boosts the seam-bowling all-round resources, while the pace attack will be led by Asitha Fernando, supported by Eshan Malinga and Pramod Madushan. The spin department is further reinforced by Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay, both expected to be influential under Sri Lankan conditions.
The first ODI of the series is scheduled to be played on Thursday (22) at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Probable Sri Lanka ODI Squad vs England
Charith Asalanka (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay.
News
Peiris, Norbert, Usgodaarachchi and De Silva Lead Women’s Charge at Yeti SSC Open
The Women’s Singles quarterfinals at the Yeti SSC Open Tennis Championship delivered a high standard of competition, with Yuhansa Peiris, Annaya Norbert, Sandithi Usgodaarachchi, and Dinara De Silva producing impressive performances to book their places in the semifinals.
Yuhansa Peiris produced one of the most commanding displays of the tournament, overwhelming Dulkini Ranasinghe in straight sets, 6/0, 6/0. Peiris controlled the match from the outset, combining solid baseline dominance with precise shot placement and relentless pressure that gave her opponent little opportunity to find rhythm.
Dinara De Silva was equally dominant in her quarterfinal encounter, cruising past Aroshi Thomas 6/1, 6/0. De Silva’s confident shot selection, consistent aggression, and sharp court movement allowed her to dictate play throughout the match, underlining her strong form in the championship.
One of the most competitive matches of the women’s quarterfinals saw Annaya Norbert edge past Biyanka Acquistapace in a tightly contested contest. Norbert held her nerve in crucial moments to secure a 6/4, 7/6 victory, clinching the match in a tense second-set tiebreak after sustained pressure from both players.
Sandithi Usgodaarachchi showcased impressive resilience and mental strength in her quarterfinal clash against Vinethya Dharmarathne. After dropping the opening set 2/6, Usgodaarachchi regrouped and raised her intensity, dominating the next two sets 6/3, 6/1 to complete a hard-fought comeback and advance to the semifinals.
The Men’s Singles quarterfinals were equally compelling, with several strong performances shaping an exciting semifinal lineup. Ganuka Fernando advanced with a composed 6/3, 6/4 victory over Ashen Silva, using disciplined baseline play and timely winners to maintain control during key phases of the match.
Thehan Wijemanne delivered one of the most dominant performances in the men’s draw, dismantling Neven Kannangara 6/1, 6/2. Wijemanne’s aggressive approach and constant pressure from the opening game left little room for his opponent to recover.
Harishva Parameshwaran demonstrated experience and tactical awareness in a solid 6/2, 6/4 win against Rehan Gunawardhana, maintaining steady momentum and dictating play with well-constructed points. Rounding off the quarterfinal stage, Methvan Vijemanne advanced in emphatic fashion, defeating Aahil Kallel 6/1, 6/1 with excellent court coverage and sharp finishing.
With the semifinals now set, the Yeti SSC Open Tennis Championship continues to highlight the growing depth, competitiveness, and quality of Sri Lanka’s tennis talent across both the women’s and men’s categories.
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