Football
India Crushes Sri Lanka 8-0 in SAFF U-19 Championship Opener: A Wake-Up Call for Football Authorities
Sri Lanka’s U-19 football team suffered a devastating 8-0 defeat at the hands of India in their opening match of the SAFF U-19 Championship 2025 held at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Arunachal Pradesh, India.
From the opening whistle, Sri Lanka appeared unprepared and disorganized, allowing India to dominate every aspect of the match. The scoreline, split evenly with four goals in each half, highlights the defensive collapse and tactical shortcomings of the Lankan side.
India’s Danny Meitei Laishram netted a hat-trick, while Prashan Jajo added a brace, showcasing the stark contrast in quality and preparation between the two teams. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, failed to register any meaningful threat on goal throughout the match.
This humiliating loss raises serious concerns about the strategic planning and readiness of the national youth setup. Despite months to prepare for the tournament, the team lacked structure, fitness, and cohesion—fundamental aspects of international football. The technical team must face questions about the lack of competitive match exposure, tactical discipline, and defensive organization.
Moreover, the physical conditioning of the squad appeared subpar, and substitutions made during the game had minimal impact. The repeated lapses in positioning, marking, and pressing made it clear that the squad was outclassed not just physically but mentally and tactically.
This result must serve as a wake-up call for the Football Federation of Sri Lanka. Talent alone will not bridge the growing gulf between Sri Lanka and regional rivals unless it’s paired with structured development, professional coaching, and consistent investment in youth football.
Sri Lanka must now regroup quickly as they face Nepal U-19 in their next group match on May 11. The path to redemption begins with accountability—and urgent change.
Football
Sri Lanka Roars Back in AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers with 3–1 Victory Over Chinese Taipei
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
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Turkmenistan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 |
2 | Thailand | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
3 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
4 | Chinese Taipei | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
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.
Football
Ange Postecoglou Sacked by Tottenham Just 16 Days After Historic Europa League Triumph
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.
Football
Sri Lanka Shocks 166th-Ranked Chinese Taipei with 3-1 Victory in AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier
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:
Minute | Scorer | Team | Type |
---|---|---|---|
48’ | Adhavan Rajamohan | Sri Lanka | Open Play |
52’ | Dillon De Silva | Sri Lanka | Counter Attack |
57’ | Waseem Razeek | Sri Lanka | Set Piece |
69′ | Chinese Taipei | 1 Goal | (Details TBD) |










-
Live4 years ago
Live Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
Football4 months ago
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
Cricket2 weeks ago
Nuwan Thushara Shines as RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final
-
Football5 months ago
FFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
News5 months ago
2025 Schools Rugby Season Set to Thrill Fans with Knockout and League Action
-
News4 years ago
We are Back
-
Football4 months ago
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!
-
Football5 months ago
Erling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City