Colombo, July 1 – The Sri Lanka Women’s Football Team is set to face a high-flying Nepal side on Wednesday, July 2 at 6:00 PM, in their second Group F fixture of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Both teams come into the match from very different ends of the performance spectrum, with Sri Lanka suffering a humiliating 10-0 defeat to Uzbekistan, while Nepal cruised past Laos with a dominant 9-0 victory.

This upcoming clash is not just a test of skill and strategy, but a reflection of each country’s football system, preparation, and investment in women’s football.

Nepal W 9-0 Laos W – Tactical Brilliance & Ruthless Execution

Nepal’s win over Laos was a showcase of tactical superiority, creative attacking play, and technical dominance.

Key Match Statistics:

• Possession: 65% (Nepal) vs 35% (Laos)
• Shots on Target: 15 (Nepal)
• Total Shots: 24 (Nepal)
• Shots Off Target: 9
• xG (Expected Goals): 3.04 (Nepal)
• Corners: 2
• Fouls Committed: 8
• Cards: 0

Nepal’s forward line was relentless, converting 15 of their 24 shots into direct goal-scoring opportunities. Despite having only two corners, they dominated through quick transitions, direct play, and high pressing. The clean disciplinary record and offside count of 3 reflect a well-coached and tactically aware squad.

Uzbekistan W 10-0 Sri Lanka W – Tactical Collapse & Lack of Structure

Sri Lanka’s opening match was a disaster from start to finish, exposing major gaps in fitness, coordination, and defensive strategy.

Key Match Statistics:

• Possession: 30% (Sri Lanka)
• Shots on Target: 0
• Total Shots: 2 (0 on target)
• Dangerous Attacks: 28 (Sri Lanka) vs 137 (Uzbekistan)
• Yellow Cards: 1
• Shots Faced: 14 on target (Uzbekistan)

The team failed to create a single meaningful chance throughout the match. With a dangerous attack rate nearly 5 times lower than Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka’s midfield was bypassed repeatedly. The defense looked overwhelmed, and the few offensive moves attempted were easily neutralized.

Sri Lanka vs Nepal – A Mismatch on Paper?

Comparing the two sides:

Possession 65% 30%

Shots 24 2

Shots on Target 15 0

xG 3.04 Not Recorded

Fouls 8 1

Cards 0 1 Yellow

Nepal has shown they can control the game, create chances, and finish clinically. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is still searching for basic team chemistry, structure, and rhythm. Unless major tactical changes are made, Sri Lanka could be heading into another one-sided contest.

Off-Field Crisis Continues: FFSL and Sports Ministry Silent

Behind these results lies a bigger concern—institutional failure. The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has not conducted a single women’s tournament for years, and this national team was selected through a rushed trial process. With no league structure, development program, or competitive exposure, the players were thrown into an elite qualifier underprepared.

Even after the Sri Lanka U20 team faced a heavy defeat in the SAFF Championship, no structural reforms were announced. The Ministry of Sports continues to turn a blind eye to the collapse of football development, while officials use these international appearances to tick boxes rather than foster real progress.

Final Word

As Sri Lanka takes on Nepal, fans will be hoping for a response—not just on the scoreboard but in effort, organization, and pride. However, unless deep-rooted problems are addressed, these defeats will continue to expose the broken foundations of Sri Lankan women’s football

Colombo, June 29 – The Sri Lanka Women’s National Football Team suffered a crushing 10-0 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan in their opening fixture of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, exposing not only the performance gap on the field but also the deep-rooted structural failures off it.

From kickoff, Uzbekistan showcased their superiority with relentless attacking football, scoring five goals in each half. The match statistics tell a story of complete dominance:

• Shots on Target: 14 (Uzbekistan) vs 0 (Sri Lanka)
• Possession: 70% (Uzbekistan) vs 30% (Sri Lanka)
• Dangerous Attacks: 137 (Uzbekistan) vs 28 (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka managed only two shots in the entire match—none of which tested the opposition goalkeeper—while spending most of the game pinned back in defense.

However, beyond the scoreboard, this defeat highlights a more alarming truth: the lack of commitment to women’s football by local authorities. The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has failed to organize a single women’s tournament domestically in recent years, and the squad selected for this major continental qualifier was chosen solely through a limited trial. There was no competitive platform or league for players to develop or prove themselves ahead of international duty.

This performance is not just a reflection of the players’ inexperience—it’s a direct consequence of administrative negligence. FFSL must take full responsibility for this embarrassing result, as it continues to send underprepared teams to international tournaments merely to safeguard its position, rather than genuinely investing in the development of Sri Lankan football.

Even more concerning is the silence from the Ministry of Sports. Despite the humiliating performances of the Under-20 team in the recent SAFF Championship and now the senior women’s team in the AFC qualifiers, no action has been taken, and no accountability has been demanded. The ministry’s indifference to these repeated failures raises serious questions about its role in ensuring sports governance and development in Sri Lanka.

As Sri Lankan football continues to struggle, it is clear that without structural change, genuine investment, and accountability, results like these will only continue.

Fresh details reveal dual agreements, silent acceptance, and a looming registration problem ahead of the Champions League

Colombo – June 17, 2025:
The player registration controversy surrounding Mohamed Sahi has intensified, as newly uncovered information confirms the existence of two separate agreements signed by the player — one with New Star SC and another with Crystal Palace FC Gampola, both for the 2025/26 season.

The Timeline of Conflict

• On January 15, 2025, Mohamed Sahi received a release from his former club Eravur YSS, stating that he would be joining Crystal Palace FC.
• This release letter was shared via WhatsApp with Crystal Palace, but the original document was handed over to New Star SC, who then registered the player for the 2025/26 season based on a contract signed on January 16 for LKR 85,000.
• Later in February, Sahi went on to sign another contract — this time with Crystal Palace FC, reportedly for LKR 215,000, including two advance payments: LKR 35,000 and LKR 45,000 to his father’s account.

This sequence raises serious concerns about whether the player fully understood his obligations or whether both clubs failed to clarify the status of the original registration.

Crystal Palace Questions: Silence from New Star

Despite publicly announcing the signing of Mohamed Sahi on social media in February, New Star SC remained silent. No objections were raised until the issue surfaced during I League scrutiny.

This inaction has sparked public questions:

• Why didn’t New Star respond immediately if the player was already under contract with them?
• Was there an oversight, or did they expect the issue to resolve quietly?

I League vs Champions League Impact

While the situation has had no direct impact on the I League, given that New Star SC registered the player first and the I League is an invitational tournament not governed by the FFSL, Sahi only featured under New Star during the competition. However, the matter gains greater significance in the lead-up to the Sri Lanka Champions League, where both New Star SC and Crystal Palace FC are reported to have submitted player registrations for Mohamed Sahi, potentially triggering a registration conflict.

This raises the risk of:

• Duplicate entries under the same player ID
• Last-minute disqualifications or disputes
• Administrative confusion for tournament organizers

A Potential Settlement?

In an attempt to ease tensions, sources close to New Star SC have confirmed that Mohamed Sahi is willing to return the advance payment made by Crystal Palace FC to resolve the financial element of the issue amicably.

Final Word

While this incident is unlikely to influence the I League outcome, it exposes a flaw in inter-club communication and registration coordination. With the Champions League approaching, resolving these overlaps is essential to avoid technical complications or eligibility issues.