News
Darussalam pockets 3rd place of “The Ball Blaster” Championship
M.H.Yakeem
Darussalam College Colombo pocketed the 3rd place beating St. Joseph’s College Colombo by 5 goals to 2 goals of ” The Ball Blaster ” under 20 all Island division 1 Football Championship 2023, sponsored by srilankankansportstv, organised and conducted by the Sri-Lanka Schools Football Association, under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, played at the Sugathadasa Stadium recently.
Darussalam College Colombo drawn from group
” A ” along with St. Joseph’s College Colombo, De Mazenod College Kandana, Hameed Al Husseinie College Colombo and Kingswood College Kandy got qualified to the knock out stage from their respective group by emerging as Champions with 3 wins and a draw.
In the quarter final, they beat Maris Stella College Negombo by 2 goals to nil with B.M.M.Suhaib netting both the goals and lost the semi final to Zahira College Colombo by 3 goals to 2 in a thrilling contest.
In the decider of the 3rd place, they beat St. Joseph’s College Colombo by 5 goals to 2 to pocket the 3rd place of ” The Ball Blaster ” Championship 2023. Darussalam College Colombo went ahead with M.Z. Zakki scoring in the 5th minute and B.M.M. Suhaib scoring in the 7th minute to give them a 2 nil lead. St. Joseph’s College Colombo came back strongly to reduce the lead with J.D. Daniel netting the goal in the 17th minute to make it 2 goals to 1 at the half time. 3 more goals in the second half by Darussalam College strikers M.Z. Zakki in the 66th minute, M.A. Ahamed in the 70th minute and B.M.M. Suhaib in the 87th minute and St. Joseph’s College second goal coming from the boot of Jerome Perera in the 85th minute and the decider of the 3rd place ending in favour of Darussalam College, Colombo winning by 5 goals to 2.
Football
Sri Lanka Women Finish Qualifiers with 0 Goals, 20 Conceded – Who Will Take Responsibility?
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
Team | MP | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 17 | 0 | +17 | 6 | |
2 | 17 | 0 | +17 | 6 | |
2 | 2 | 16 | -14 | 0 | |
3 | 0 | 20 | -20 | 0 |
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.
News
Sri Lanka Set to Face UAE in Crucial Rugby Clash Tomorrow in Colombo
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.
Football
Sri Lanka Women Crushed 8-0 by Nepal in AFC Qualifiers – Tactical Collapse Raises Alarm
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
Stat | Sri Lanka Women | Nepal Women |
---|---|---|
Possession | 50% | 50% |
Total Shots | 4 | 26 |
Shots on Target | 3 | 18 |
Shots off Target | 1 | 8 |
Expected Goals (xG) | 0.60 | 3.76 |
Corners | 0 | 14 |
Fouls | 4 | 6 |
Cards | 0 | 0 |
Offsides | 0 | 3 |
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.
-
Live4 years ago
Live Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
Football5 months ago
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
Cricket1 month ago
Nuwan Thushara Shines as RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final
-
News5 months ago
2025 Schools Rugby Season Set to Thrill Fans with Knockout and League Action
-
Football6 months ago
FFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
Football4 months ago
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!
-
News4 years ago
We are Back
-
Football6 months ago
Erling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City