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KJP urges youngsters to play with the positive mindset
Kusal Perera’s aftermath of the first T20I, which Sri Lanka won via Super Over, the southpaw urged his teammates to play with greater energy during T20 internationals.
“It’s hard to play a T20 without momentum, and to win in T20 cricket you need a batter to provide that momentum,” Perera said during the post-match conference.
“There are a lot of young players in the squad, and what I’ve told them is you have to start learning now how to handle uncomfortable situations. Bowlers aren’t going to bowl how you like, they’re going to analyse you and be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. We need to be smart in those situations.”
Perera revealed that the key to Sri Lanka’s success, on the day, was every single batter going out to bat with a positive mindset.
Earlier New Zealand had won the toss and put Sri Lanka to bat first where the islanders posted 196-5, thanks to Charith Asalanka’s top knock of 67 off 41 balls.
Kusal Perera (53), Kusal Mendis (25) and Wanindu Hasaranga (21) also played fine hands to help the tourists post a healthy 196 on the board.
In response, New Zealand lost both openers in the first two overs, but Tom Latham (27) and Daryll Mitchell (66) then shared a 63-run partnership.
Despite losing wickets, New Zealand found boundaries with regularity and stayed within touching distance of the target.
With 7 runs required to win off the last ball Ish Sodhi smashed a six-over deep mid-wicket to take the match into a super over.
In the super over New Zealand mustered just eight runs from their over, and it took the Sri Lankans just half their allotted six to get the job done as Charith Asalanka cleared the ropes from an Adam Milne slower ball and then ramped the next for four more.
“I went ahead with a positive mindset, I wasn’t thinking about how long I had been out. Likewise, all the other batters also went out with a positive mindset, and that’s how we managed to capitalise on the conditions,” Perera further added.
The knock on Sunday was Perera’s first T20I fifty in three years, and while he was satisfied with his showing, the veteran claimed that there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
“Of course being out there in the middle and playing, I’m very happy with my performance. More than that I’m happy that the team won. That said I know there’s room for improvement and that will only come as I improve my match rhythm.”
KJP තරුණයන්ගෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටින්නේ ධනාත්මක මානසිකත්වයකින් ක්රීඩා කරන ලෙසයි
ශ්රී ලංකාව සුපිරි ඕවරය හරහා ජයග්රහණය කළ පළමු විස්සයි20 තරගයෙන් පසුව කුසල් පෙරේරාගේ ප්රතිඵලය, සවුත්පාව් තම සගයන්ගෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටියේ විස්සයි20 ජාත්යන්තර තරගවලදී වැඩි ශක්තියකින් ක්රීඩා කරන ලෙසයි.
“වේගයක් නොමැතිව T20 ක්රීඩා කිරීම දුෂ්කර ය, T20 ක්රිකට් ජයග්රහණය කිරීමට ඔබට එම වේගය ලබා දීමට පිතිකරුවෙකු අවශ්ය වේ,” පෙරේරා තරගයෙන් පසු සමුළුව අතරතුර පැවසීය.
“සංචිතයේ තරුණ ක්රීඩකයින් විශාල ප්රමාණයක් සිටින අතර, මම ඔවුන්ට පැවසූ දෙය නම්, ඔබ දැන් ඉගෙනීමට පටන් ගත යුතු අපහසුතාවයන් සමඟ කටයුතු කරන්නේ කෙසේද යන්නයි. පන්දු යවන්නන් ඔබ කැමති ආකාරයට පන්දු යැවීමට යන්නේ නැත, ඔවුන් ඔබව විශ්ලේෂණය කර ඔබේ ශක්තීන් සහ දුර්වලතා පිළිබඳව දැනුවත් වනු ඇත. එවැනි අවස්ථාවලදී අපි බුද්ධිමත් විය යුතුයි.”
ශ්රී ලංකා කණ්ඩායමේ ජයග්රහණයේ ප්රධානතම හේතුව වූයේ සෑම පිතිකරුවෙක්ම ධනාත්මක චින්තනයකින් පිතිකරණයට යාම බව පෙරේරා අනාවරණය කළේය.
මීට පෙර කාසියේ වාසිය දිනූ නවසීලන්ත කණ්ඩායම ප්රථමයෙන් පන්දුවට පහර දීමට ශ්රී ලංකා පිලට ඇරයුම් කළ අතර එහිදී ලකුණු 196-5ක් ලබා ගත් චරිත් අසලංක පන්දු 41කදී ලකුණු 67ක් රැස් කළේය.
කුසල් පෙරේරා (53), කුසල් මෙන්ඩිස් (25) සහ වනිඳු හසරංග (21) ද හොඳින් ක්රීඩා කරමින් සංචාරක ක්රීඩකයින් හට සෞඛ්ය සම්පන්න ලකුණු 196 ක් ලබා ගැනීමට උපකාර කළහ.
පිළිතුරු ලෙස නවසීලන්ත පිලට පළමු ඕවර දෙකේදී ආරම්භක පිතිකරුවන් දෙදෙනාම අහිමි වූ නමුත් පසුව ටොම් ලේතම් (27) සහ ඩැරල් මිචෙල් (66) ලකුණු 63 ක සම්බන්ධතාවක් ගොඩනැගූහ.
කඩුලු දැවී ගියද නවසීලන්තය විධිමත් ලෙස සීමා මායිම් සොයා ගනිමින් ඉලක්කයට ළඟා විය හැකි දුරින් රැඳී සිටියේය.
අවසන් පන්දුවේදී ජයග්රහණය සඳහා ලකුණු 7ක් අවශ්යව තිබියදී ඉෂ් සෝදි ඕවර හයේ ඩීප් මිඩ් විකට් එකක් දවාලමින් තරගය සුපිරි ඕවරයකට රැගෙන ගියේය.
සුපිරි ඕවරයේදී නවසීලන්ත පිලට ඔවුන්ගේ ඕවරයෙන් රැස්කර ගත හැකි වූයේ ලකුණු 8ක් පමණක් වූ අතර, චරිත් අසලංක ඇඩම් මිල්න්ගේ මන්දගාමී පන්දුවකින් ලණු ඉවත් කර ඊළඟ පන්දුව තවත් හතරකට වේගවත් කළ බැවින් කාර්යය ඉටු කිරීමට ශ්රී ලංකා ක්රීඩකයන්ට ගත වූයේ ඔවුන්ගේ නියමිත හයේ භාගයක් පමණි. .
“මම ධනාත්මක මානසිකත්වයකින් ඉදිරියට ගියා. මම කොච්චර වෙලාවක් එළියට ගියාද කියලා හිතුවේ නැහැ. ඒ වගේම අනෙක් සියලුම පිතිකරුවන් ධනාත්මක මානසිකත්වයකින් එළියට ගියා. අපි කොන්දේසි වලින් ප්රයෝජන ගත්තෙ එහෙමයි,” පෙරේරා වැඩිදුරටත් පැවසීය. එකතු කළා.
ඉරිදා එල්ල වූ පහර වසර තුනකට පසු පෙරේරාගේ පළමු විස්සයි20 අර්ධ ශතකය වූ අතර, ඔහුගේ දස්කම් ගැන ඔහු සෑහීමකට පත්වන අතර, ප්රවීණයා කියා සිටියේ වැඩිදියුණු කිරීමට තවමත් ඕනෑ තරම් ඉඩ ඇති බවයි.
“ඇත්තෙන්ම මැද්දේ එළියේ ඉඳලා ක්රීඩා කරනවා, මගේ දක්ෂතාවය ගැන මම ගොඩක් සතුටු වෙනවා. ඊට වඩා කණ්ඩායම දිනපු එක ගැන මම සතුටු වෙනවා. ඒ කිව්වේ මම දන්නවා දියුණු වෙන්න ඉඩක් තියෙනවා කියලා. මම මගේ දියුණුවට පස්සේ තමයි ඒක එන්නේ කියලා. රිද්මයට ගැලපේ.”
இளைஞர்கள் நேர்மறை எண்ணத்துடன் விளையாட வேண்டும் என்று KJP கேட்டுக்கொள்கிறது
சூப்பர் ஓவர் மூலம் இலங்கை வென்ற முதல் T20I இன் குசல் பெரேராவின் பின்விளைவு, தென்பாகம் T20 சர்வதேசப் போட்டிகளில் அதிக ஆற்றலுடன் விளையாடுமாறு தனது அணியினரை வலியுறுத்தினார்.
“வேகம் இல்லாமல் டி20 விளையாடுவது கடினம், டி20 கிரிக்கெட்டில் வெற்றி பெற அந்த வேகத்தை வழங்க உங்களுக்கு ஒரு பேட்டர் தேவை” என்று போட்டிக்கு பிந்தைய மாநாட்டின் போது பெரேரா கூறினார்.
“அணியில் நிறைய இளம் வீரர்கள் உள்ளனர், நான் அவர்களிடம் கூறியது என்னவென்றால், சங்கடமான சூழ்நிலைகளை எவ்வாறு கையாள்வது என்பதை நீங்கள் இப்போது கற்றுக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். பந்து வீச்சாளர்கள் நீங்கள் விரும்பும் விதத்தில் பந்துவீசப் போவதில்லை, அவர்கள் உங்களைப் பகுப்பாய்வு செய்து உங்கள் பலம் மற்றும் பலவீனங்களை அறிந்து கொள்ளப் போகிறார்கள். இதுபோன்ற சூழ்நிலைகளில் நாம் புத்திசாலித்தனமாக இருக்க வேண்டும்.”
இலங்கையின் வெற்றிக்கான திறவுகோல், அன்றைய தினம், ஒவ்வொரு பேட்டரும் நேர்மறையான மனநிலையுடன் பேட்டிங் செய்யச் செல்வதே என்று பெரேரா வெளிப்படுத்தினார்.
முன்னதாக நியூசிலாந்து டாஸ் வென்று இலங்கையை முதலில் பேட் செய்ய வைத்தது, அங்கு தீவுவாசிகள் 196-5 ரன்களை எடுத்தனர், சரித் அசலங்காவின் அதிகபட்ச 41 பந்துகளில் 67 ரன்களுக்கு நன்றி.
குசல் பெரேரா (53), குசல் மெண்டிஸ் (25) மற்றும் வனிந்து ஹசரங்க (21) ஆகியோரும் சிறப்பாக விளையாடி சுற்றுலாப் பயணிகளுக்கு ஆரோக்கியமான 196 ரன்களை எடுக்க உதவினார்கள்.
பதிலுக்கு, நியூசிலாந்து முதல் இரண்டு ஓவர்களில் இரு தொடக்க ஆட்டக்காரர்களையும் இழந்தது, ஆனால் டாம் லாதம் (27) மற்றும் டேரில் மிட்செல் (66) பின்னர் 63 ரன்கள் பார்ட்னர்ஷிப்பைப் பகிர்ந்து கொண்டனர்.
விக்கெட்டுகளை இழந்த போதிலும், நியூசிலாந்து வழக்கமான எல்லைகளை கண்டது மற்றும் இலக்கை தொடும் தூரத்தில் இருந்தது.
கடைசி பந்தில் வெற்றிக்கு 7 ரன்கள் தேவை என்ற நிலையில், இஷ் சோதி சிக்ஸர் ஓவரில் டீப் மிட் விக்கெட்டை அடித்து ஆட்டத்தை சூப்பர் ஓவருக்கு கொண்டு சென்றார்.
சூப்பர் ஓவரில் நியூசிலாந்து தனது ஓவரில் வெறும் 8 ரன்களை மட்டுமே எடுத்தது, மேலும் சரித் அசலங்கா ஆடம் மில்னே ஸ்லோயர் பந்தில் இருந்து கயிற்றை துடைத்ததால், அடுத்ததை மேலும் நான்கு ரன்களுக்கு உயர்த்தியதால், அந்த வேலையைச் செய்ய இலங்கை வீரர்கள் அவர்களுக்கு ஒதுக்கப்பட்ட சிக்ஸரில் பாதி மட்டுமே தேவைப்பட்டது. .
“நான் நேர்மறையான மனநிலையுடன் முன்னேறினேன், எவ்வளவு நேரம் நான் அவுட்டாக இருந்தேன் என்பதைப் பற்றி நான் யோசிக்கவில்லை. அதேபோல், மற்ற அனைத்து பேட்டர்களும் நேர்மறையான மனநிலையுடன் வெளியேறினர், அதனால்தான் நாங்கள் நிலைமைகளைப் பயன்படுத்திக் கொள்ள முடிந்தது,” பெரேரா மேலும் கூறினார். சேர்க்கப்பட்டது.
ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை அடித்தது பெரேராவின் மூன்று ஆண்டுகளில் முதல் T20I அரைசதம் ஆகும், மேலும் அவர் தனது காட்சியில் திருப்தி அடைந்தபோது, முன்னேற்றத்திற்கு இன்னும் நிறைய இடங்கள் இருப்பதாக மூத்த வீரர் கூறினார்.
“நிச்சயமாக நடுவில் வெளியே இருந்து விளையாடி, எனது செயல்திறனில் நான் மிகவும் மகிழ்ச்சியடைகிறேன். அதைவிட அணி வெற்றி பெற்றதில் நான் மகிழ்ச்சியடைகிறேன். அதில் முன்னேற்றத்திற்கு இடம் இருக்கிறது என்று எனக்குத் தெரியும், நான் என்னை மேம்படுத்தினால் மட்டுமே அது வரும். மேட்ச் ரிதம்.”
Football
Sri Lanka Fall 2–1 to Timor-Leste in Final Group Match, Ending AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers Campaign
Sri Lanka’s AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign came to an unexpected conclusion with a 2–1 defeat to Timor-Leste in their final Group A match in Chongqing. With both teams entering the fixture on three points, the match served as a direct battle for a fourth-place finish in the group. Despite pre-match expectations and form analysis suggesting Sri Lanka held the advantage, Timor-Leste delivered the stronger performance on the day.

Timor-Leste took control early and displayed greater urgency, breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute through Elton Da Conceicao, who capitalised on defensive hesitation to put his side ahead. Sri Lanka struggled to settle into rhythm, often losing second balls and failing to connect effectively in midfield.
The second half saw Timor-Leste continue to dictate play, maintaining higher intensity and pressing Sri Lanka into mistakes. Their persistence was rewarded in the 63rd minute when Jyzeus Gabriel Lay doubled the lead with a composed finish following a break in transition.

Sri Lanka managed to pull one goal back deep into stoppage time, as Ishaq found the net with a well-taken effort, but it was too late to alter the outcome. The result places Sri Lanka fifth in Group A, behind China PR, Bangladesh, Bahrain, and now Timor-Leste.
This outcome contradicts earlier projections that favoured Sri Lanka based on Timor-Leste’s previous results and goal difference. However, football at youth level often hinges on momentum, confidence, and adaptability—areas where Timor-Leste outperformed Sri Lanka on the day.

Sri Lanka conclude their campaign with one win and four losses, scoring six goals and conceding 17. While the tournament exposed defensive vulnerabilities and structural weaknesses, it also offered valuable international experience for a young squad still developing physically and tactically.
The focus now shifts to refining youth systems, improving defensive organisation, and strengthening player development pathways. The qualifiers may not have produced the results Sri Lanka had hoped for, but they provided clarity on the areas that require attention as the nation continues to rebuild at youth level.
Football
Sri Lanka Suffer 8–0 Defeat to China PR in AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers – Matchday 4 Update
Sri Lanka’s AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign took another difficult turn on Matchday 4 as they fell 8–0 to a dominant China PR side in Chongqing. China, who entered the fixture with 30 goals scored and none conceded, continued their perfect run with a commanding and clinical performance.

The defeat also slightly exceeded the earlier projected scoreline, as forecasts suggested a heavy loss in the range of 6–0 based on China’s form and Sri Lanka’s defensive struggles. China ultimately pushed beyond that margin with relentless second-half pressure and superior physicality.
China took control early when Zhao Songyuan opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Zhang Xuyao doubled the lead before the half-hour mark, and Kuang Zhaolei’s 41st-minute strike effectively settled the outcome before halftime.
The second half offered little relief for Sri Lanka. China maintained full command of possession and territory, adding five more goals through He Sifan (47’), Shuai Weihao (55’), Wan Xiang (75’, 77’) and Zhang Bolin (84’). The hosts’ sustained pressure, intelligent movement between the lines, and ruthless finishing highlighted the gap between the two nations at this age level.
With the win, China remain unbeaten with four straight victories, keeping pace with Bangladesh at the top of Group A. Owing to a significantly superior goal difference, China will only need a draw against Bangladesh on Sunday to finish as group leaders.

For Sri Lanka, the result reinforces the defensive and structural challenges identified throughout the campaign — particularly in dealing with high-pressing teams and managing space between defensive lines. The team now turns its attention to their final group match against Timor-Leste, a fixture they are expected to approach with confidence and a realistic chance of securing a second victory.
Sri Lanka have one match remaining in the qualifiers and will aim to finish on a stronger note as they continue their learning curve at continental level.
If you need an updated standings table, match preview for Sri Lanka vs Timor-Leste, or social media posts for this result, I can prepare those next.
Updated Group A Standings (After Matchday 4)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China PR | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | +38 | 12 |
| Bangladesh | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 5 | +18 | 12 |
| Bahrain | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 6 |
| Sri Lanka | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 15 | -10 | 3 |
| Timor-Leste | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 30 | -30 | 0 |
| Brunei Darussalam | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 24 | -24 | 0 |
Sri Lanka vs Timor-Leste – Match Preview
Sri Lanka enter their final AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers Group A match against Timor-Leste with a crucial opportunity to end the campaign on a positive note. Both teams have faced heavy defeats throughout the group stage, with Timor-Leste failing to score a single goal and conceding 30.
Sri Lanka showed strong attacking quality in their 4–0 win over Brunei and were competitive in stretches against Bahrain before losing 2–1. Despite the 8–0 loss to China PR, the team retains the advantage in pace, transitional play, and individual technical ability over Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste have struggled to maintain defensive shape and have been vulnerable in both wide areas and in transition. Their inability to build out from pressure offers Sri Lanka a clear opportunity to dominate possession and control attacking phases.
This match represents Sri Lanka’s best chance to secure a second win and finish the group in fourth place.
Match Prediction – Sri Lanka vs Timor-Leste
The previous prediction for this match was 3–1 in favour of Sri Lanka.
Based on both teams’ updated performances and form trends, this prediction remains accurate.
Predicted result: Sri Lanka 3–1 Timor-Leste
Sri Lanka are expected to:
• Control the midfield
• Create more chances from wide areas
• Use pace effectively in transition
• Limit Timor-Leste’s attacking threat
News
ISKA Appoints Dayan Samarasekara as National Director for Sri Lanka
The International Sport Kickboxing Association (ISKA) has appointed Dayan Samarasekara as the National Director for Sri Lanka, recognizing his longstanding contribution to the development and modernisation of combat sports in the country.

Samarasekara has played a pivotal role in elevating Sri Lanka’s combat sports sector and has also been instrumental in supporting the professionalisation of combat sports across the South Asian region. His vision and commitment have been acknowledged through this significant appointment by ISKA.
Currently serving as the Co-Founder and Combat Sports Director of KFL, Samarasekara continues to work towards expanding and strengthening combat sports in Sri Lanka. ISKA has expressed confidence that, together with his leadership, the organisation will be able to further broaden the footprint and recognition of combat sports within the country.

About ISKA
The International Sport Kickboxing Association (ISKA), established in 1986, is the world’s most widely recognised sanctioning and regulatory body for over 20 combat sports and competitive martial arts disciplines.
ISKA is dedicated to training officials, updating competition rules, and upholding global standards, integrity, and professionalism while identifying champions and elite competitors worldwide.
The association regulates top-tier global events such as the US OPEN World Martial Arts Championships and GLORY.
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