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After five consecutive losses, Sri Lanka is back to winning ways at Netball World Cup

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The Asian Champions, Sri Lanka finally earned their first win at the ongoing Netball World Cup when they edge a strong Barbados outfit on Thursday in Cape Town, South Africa.

Coming into the match Sri Lanka was desperately looking for a win after 5 consecutive defeats while their opponents who have already secured their spot in the 13th/14th playoff looked to continue their domination in the tournament.

However coming into the match, Barbodas lasses were seen not playing with the same intensity they showed in their last outings but managed to put up a good fight to end the first break on 15-15.

Into the second quarter, Sri Lanka changed gears and played switched to aggressive mode as they started the second quarter with scoring 5 back-to-back goals to put pressure on the opponents.

Sri Lanka’s dominance in the second quarter forced Barbados’s coach to introduce their experience Sasha Corbin at wing attack and the move of her sister, Kadeen, who previously won Commonwealth Games gold with England, from goal, shooter to goal attack for Barbados.

But their tactics didn’t favour them as they remained four goals behind at halftime.

Into the second half, Barbados finally found their rhythm and scored a few back-to-back goals to narrow the deficit and surged ahead to win the third quarter by 22 goals to 12.

Heading into the all-important fourth and final quarter, Sri Lanka showed they never give up attitude and out on an improved performance in the dying moments to stage a comeback and claim a memorable 60-56 win.

The win also re-wrote history as Sri Lanka’s first time in 20 years that the Sri Lankans have beaten anyone other than Singapore at the Netball World Cup.

Despite the only victory, overall Sri Lanka had a poor outing in this year’s championship which they lost all their previous (5) matches including the game against their Asian counterparts Singapore.

Interestingly this year’s Netball world cup will mark the tallest netballer in the world and Sri Lanka’s netball backbone, Tharjini Sivalingam’s last appearance on an international stage where she is set to retire from the game following the world cup which is yet to announce officially.

*Sri Lanka’s performance so far in the tournament *

JAMAICA 105-25 SRI LANKA

Jamaica got their tournament off to a storming start, notching up a formidable 105-point total in their opening Group C match against Sri Lanka.

SOUTH AFRICA 87-32 SRI LANKA

Ruthless host South Africa romp to a commanding win over Sri Lanka to make it two-in-two at the Netball World in their second game of Pool C encounter.

WALES 68-52 SRI LANKA

Into the third game though Asian Champions Sri Lanka put on an improved performance but ended in the losing side against Wales.

SINGAPORE 55-52 SRI LANKA

A disciplined Singapore side defeated their Asian rivals Sri Lanka 52-55 to make matters worse for the Lankans.

ZIMBABWE 71-36 SRI LANKA

Zimbabwe had no problem in sweeping past Sri Lanka in a Group E match.

Football

Sri Lanka Women Finish Qualifiers with 0 Goals, 20 Conceded – Who Will Take Responsibility?

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Colombo, July 3 – Sri Lanka Women’s National Football Team wrapped up their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign with a third straight defeat — a 2-0 loss to Laos — confirming their position at the bottom of Group F, with 0 wins, 0 goals scored, and 18 conceded in just three games.

But beyond the scorelines lies a far more serious issue: a complete collapse of women’s football development in Sri Lanka. And this time, the blame does not lie on one individual — but on a system that has failed the sport, from top to bottom.

Match-by-Match Recap

Match 1: Sri Lanka 0 – 10 Uzbekistan

  • Possession: 30%
  • Shots on Target: 0
  • xG: 0.0 vs Uzbekistan’s 3.60
  • A game that exposed a lack of preparation, structure, and fitness from the very start.

Match 2: Sri Lanka 0 – 8 Nepal

  • Possession: 50%
  • Defensive errors gifted goals, including a hat-trick by Sabitra Bhandari.
  • xG: Nepal 3.76 vs Sri Lanka 0.60
  • Tactical breakdown: Midfield collapsed under pressure, backline failed to close space.

Match 3: Sri Lanka 0 – 2 Laos

  • Possession: 50%
  • Shots on Target: 5
  • xG: 2.56 (Laos) vs 1.08 (Sri Lanka)
  • A more balanced performance, but defensive lapses in the 73rd and 90+2 minutes led to defeat. Sri Lanka couldn’t convert chances despite their best game statistically.

Final Group Standings – Group F

TeamMPGFGAGDPoints
🇳🇵 Nepal2170+176
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan2170+176
🇱🇦 Laos2216-140
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka3020-200

Tactical Issues Across All Matches

  • No clear formation or transition play.
  • Lack of defensive coordination — players failed to track runners, especially on the flanks.
  • No attacking identity — only 1.08 xG across three games.
  • In-game management absent — few substitutions or tactical shifts despite being outplayed.

While public criticism often targets the President of the Football Federation, this decline in women’s football runs deeper:

Who Is Accountable? Not Just the President

Women’s Football Committee:

  • Failed to organize any domestic tournament in recent years.
  • Selected the squad via open trials, with no league performance data to back selections.
  • No consistent training camps or fitness programs.

Executive Committee:

  • Remains silent on the recurring failures.
  • No inquiries, reviews, or structural reforms have followed Sri Lanka’s repeated humiliations — including the U20 Women’s SAFF defeat earlier this year.

Technical & Development Staff:

  • No tactical framework or youth development.
  • No modern coaching methods or international exposure for players.

The Bigger Problem: Silence and Stagnation

Sri Lanka is not just losing matches — it’s losing direction. The current state of women’s football is not the result of one bad campaign. It’s the product of years of neglect, political appointments, and a failure to treat women’s football with equal priority.

Even now, there is no explanation from the Executive Committee on how the women’s team was prepared or what plans exist for recovery.

Time for a Reset, Not Excuses

If Sri Lanka is serious about competing in international football, the following must be addressed:

  • ✅ A national women’s league
  • ✅ Provincial and school-level competitions
  • ✅ Professional coaching staff and structured fitness programs
  • ✅ Regular international friendlies and camps
  • ✅ Transparent selection processes based on performance, not politics

🔚 Conclusion

Sri Lanka’s 2026 AFC campaign should not just be remembered for the scorelines — but as a call for change. It is time for every stakeholder — from the Women’s Committee to the Executive — to reflect, respond, and rebuild.

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Sri Lanka Set to Face UAE in Crucial Rugby Clash Tomorrow in Colombo

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The Sri Lanka national rugby team will lock horns with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a much-anticipated international rugby encounter set to take place today (July 4) at the iconic Racecourse Ground, Colombo.

As part of their final preparations, the Sri Lankan team held an intensive training session today under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff. The team looked sharp, focused, and ready to bring their A-game to home soil.

This clash promises to be a key test for the Tuskers as they look to strengthen their footing in the regional rugby scene and gain momentum ahead of upcoming international competitions. UAE, a rising force in Asian rugby, will also be eyeing a big performance away from home.

Both teams are expected to field strong lineups, and the match is anticipated to draw significant interest from local fans eager to witness top-tier rugby action.

📍 Match Info
🗓️ Date: July 4, 2025
📍 Venue: Racecourse Rugby Grounds, Colombo
🕒 Kick-off: TBA

Stay tuned for live updates, photos, and post-match coverage on Sri Lankan Sports TV.

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Football

Sri Lanka Women Crushed 8-0 by Nepal in AFC Qualifiers – Tactical Collapse Raises Alarm

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Colombo, July 2 – Sri Lanka Women’s National Football Team suffered another brutal defeat in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, going down 8-0 to a confident and clinical Nepalese side. Coming just days after a 10-0 hammering by Uzbekistan, this latest loss highlights deeper tactical, technical, and structural issues within Sri Lanka’s women’s football system.

Full-Time Score: Sri Lanka 0 – 8 Nepal

Half-Time: 0 – 4
Venue: Group F – AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers

Key Match Statistics

StatSri Lanka WomenNepal Women
Possession50%50%
Total Shots426
Shots on Target318
Shots off Target18
Expected Goals (xG)0.603.76
Corners014
Fouls46
Cards00
Offsides03

Tactical Breakdown – Why Sri Lanka Lost 8-0

Despite the possession being even at 50%, Sri Lanka was thoroughly outplayed. This is a classic case where possession stats mislead the reality on the pitch.

1. Poor Defensive Organization

  • Sri Lanka conceded 14 corners and 18 shots on target, indicating that Nepal constantly penetrated both flanks and delivered into the box unchallenged.
  • There was no compact defensive line, and Nepal exploited space behind Sri Lanka’s fullbacks repeatedly.

2. Ineffective Midfield Structure

  • While Sri Lanka held possession equally, it was largely passive and in non-threatening zones.
  • Nepal, on the other hand, converted their possession into 3.76 xG, showing how effective and vertical their transitions were.

3. Repeated Failures in Closing Down Key Players

  • Sabitra Bhandari scored a hat-trick within 26 minutes (14’, 36’, 40’) and was left unmarked multiple times.
  • Nepal’s attackers were given space and time to shoot – evident from the 18 shots on target.

4. No Offensive Threat

  • Sri Lanka managed only 4 shots in the entire game, with an xG of just 0.60.
  • With no corners and no real pressing, the team offered nothing going forward, allowing Nepal to push numbers up comfortably.

Back-to-Back Heavy Losses: Structural Failures Exposed

This defeat comes after a 10-0 loss to Uzbekistan, meaning Sri Lanka has now conceded 18 goals in two matches without scoring once.

This isn’t just a reflection of players’ on-field performance — it’s a glaring indictment of:

  • FFSL’s failure to conduct any women’s football league in years
  • A rushed team selection based on a short trial, without competitive match practice
  • No structured coaching program or international exposure
  • Lack of scouting, fitness programs, and tactical planning

Nepal, though not an Asian powerhouse, had better coaching structure, player chemistry, and clear tactics, which led to their dominance.

What’s Next for Sri Lanka?

If the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) and the Ministry of Sports continue to ignore these warning signs, Sri Lanka risks becoming irrelevant in women’s football on the Asian stage.

What’s needed:

  • ✅ A proper national women’s league
  • ✅ Regular youth-level competitions and scouting
  • ✅ Appointing qualified coaching staff with modern tactical knowledge
  • ✅ Consistent international exposure for players

Conclusion

An 8-0 defeat to Nepal isn’t just a bad result — it’s a mirror held up to a broken system. Unless real change is implemented beyond symbolic participation, these results will become Sri Lanka’s norm in women’s football.

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