Colombo, June 11 – Sri Lanka bounced back in style in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers with a commanding 3–1 victory over Chinese Taipei in their Group D clash held in Colombo. The win comes as a crucial lifeline for the Lions, who are now level on points with Thailand and firmly in the race for qualification.

After a narrow defeat in their opening match against Thailand, Sri Lanka showcased character, discipline, and attacking flair against a struggling Chinese Taipei side.

De Silva Shines Bright for Sri Lanka

The star of the night was undoubtedly Dillon De Silva, who delivered a match-winning performance. He provided an early assist for Wazeem Razeek before scoring a stunning goal to put Sri Lanka ahead 2–0. De Silva continued to dictate the game and capped off his night with a second assist in the final stages, wrapping up a well-deserved victory for the home side.

“This win is a turning point for us. We showed heart and belief. Our fans deserved this,” said De Silva after the match.

Group D Standings After Matchday 2

Position Team Played W–D–L Goals (F–A) GD Points

The group remains wide open, with Sri Lanka now needing strong results against both Thailand and Turkmenistan to keep their hopes alive for a historic qualification to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia.

What’s Next?

Sri Lanka will next face group leaders Turkmenistan in a crucial encounter. With momentum back on their side and home support growing, the national team will look to carry this energy forward and push for qualification glory.

Ange Postecoglou has been dismissed as Tottenham Hotspur manager just 16 days after guiding the club to a long-awaited European trophy. Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao brought their first major silverware in 17 years.

Despite that success, the club endured a dismal Premier League campaign, finishing 17th after losing 22 of their 38 matches — narrowly avoiding relegation in what was one of their worst top-flight seasons in recent memory.

Postecoglou, 59, had told fans during a celebratory parade that “season three is better than season two,” expressing his commitment to the future. But exactly two years after arriving from Celtic on a four-year deal, his time in north London has come to an end.

In an official statement, Spurs acknowledged the Australian’s achievement, calling the Europa League victory “one of the club’s greatest moments” and noting that he became just the third manager to lead Tottenham to European glory. However, the board emphasized that the decision was made following a thorough review of performances, stating that it “could not be driven by emotions tied to this triumph.”

Postecoglou led Spurs to a fifth-place finish in his debut season and kept his promise to deliver silverware in his second. Reflecting on his departure, he said:

The opportunity to lead one of England’s historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in a dream.

From 101 matches across all competitions, Postecoglou registered 47 wins, 15 draws, and 39 defeats — a win rate of 46.5%.

Brentford’s Thomas Frank is currently tipped as a leading contender to succeed him. Other names reportedly under consideration include Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Fulham’s Marco Silva, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, and former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, now coaching the United States national team.

— Reporting adapted from BBC Sport, with appreciation for their detailed coverage.

Date: June 10, 2025
Venue: Race Course, Colombo
Tournament: AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers – Group D
Final Score: Sri Lanka 3 – 1 Chinese Taipei
FIFA Rankings: Chinese Taipei – 166 | Sri Lanka – 200

In a stunning upset, Sri Lanka’s national football team defeated Chinese Taipei 3-1 in their AFC Asian Cup 2026 Group D qualifier held on June 10. The performance not only earned Sri Lanka three crucial points but also reaffirmed their ability to compete with higher-ranked opponents on the international stage.

Goal-Scorers:

• Adhavan Rajamohan – 48’
• Dillon De Silva – 52’
• Waseem Razeek – 57’

After a goalless first half, Sri Lanka came out with renewed energy and dominated early in the second half, scoring three goals within just 10 minutes, completely overturning the momentum.

Ranking Impact:

• Sri Lanka: 200th → +0.97 points
• Chinese Taipei: 166th → –10.71 points

The win came despite a major ranking gap, showcasing Sri Lanka’s growing confidence and improved tactical discipline under pressure.

Match Summary: