Football
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
The Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025 – Under 20 Division 1 Boys’ Football Tournament has progressed to the Super 8 Round, with eight teams competing in two groups. The Sri Lanka Schools Football Association (SLSFA) is conducting the tournament in collaboration with the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL).
Super 8 Grouping
Group A
- Alighar National School – Eravur
- Darussalam College – Colombo 10
- St. Joseph’s College – Colombo 10
- Kalutara Muslim Central College
Group B
- Zahira College – Colombo
- Hameed Al Husseinie College – Colombo 12
- Al Falah College – Negombo
- St. Patrick’s College – Jaffna
Match Venues and Schedule
The Super 8 Round matches are scheduled to be played at Kelaniya Football Complex, whereas last year’s second round matches were held at Sugathadasa Stadium under the hosting of Sri Lankan Sports TV.
Super 8 Round Fixtures
Match Day | Date | Time | Group | Match |
---|---|---|---|---|
MD-1 | 14.02.2025 (Fri) | 8:00 AM | A | Darussalam College vs St. Joseph’s College |
14.02.2025 (Fri) | 3:00 PM | A | Alighar National School vs Kalutara Muslim Central College | |
MD-2 | 15.02.2025 (Sat) | 8:00 AM | B | Hameed Al Husseinie College vs Al Falah College |
15.02.2025 (Sat) | 3:00 PM | B | Zahira College vs St. Patrick’s College | |
MD-3 | 17.02.2025 (Mon) | 8:00 AM | A | St. Joseph’s College vs Alighar National School |
17.02.2025 (Mon) | 3:00 PM | A | Kalutara Muslim Central College vs Darussalam College | |
MD-4 | 18.02.2025 (Tue) | 8:00 AM | B | Al Falah College vs Zahira College |
18.02.2025 (Tue) | 3:00 PM | B | St. Patrick’s College vs Hameed Al Husseinie College | |
MD-5 | 20.02.2025 (Thu) | TBC | A | Alighar National School vs Darussalam College |
20.02.2025 (Thu) | TBC | A | St. Joseph’s College vs Kalutara Muslim Central College | |
MD-6 | 21.02.2025 (Fri) | TBC | B | Zahira College vs Hameed Al Husseinie College |
21.02.2025 (Fri) | TBC | B | Al Falah College vs St. Patrick’s College |
Knockout Stage (Venue & Date TBC)
- Semi-Final 1: Group A 1st place vs Group B 2nd place
- Semi-Final 2: Group B 1st place vs Group A 2nd place
- Final: Winners of Semi-Final 1 vs Winners of Semi-Final 2
Further details regarding match venues and times for the knockout stage will be announced later.
Football
Sri Lanka Climbs FIFA Rankings — But Can “Origin-Only” Strategy Deliver Long-Term Success?
Sri Lanka’s national football team has achieved a notable improvement in the latest FIFA World Rankings, marking a rare moment of positivity for the sport in the country. The team, now sitting at 193rd, has shown visible progress — yet, this rise raises important questions about the long-term future of Sri Lankan football.

Origin Players Driving Success
Out of the starting 11 players, 10 are foreign-born origin players, with only the goalkeeper captain being Sri Lankan-born. While this approach has strengthened the squad and delivered quick international results, it highlights a deeper issue — the lack of local football development and competitive tournaments at home.
In the absence of consistent domestic competitions, Sri Lanka’s international performances are being carried by overseas talent. This has sparked debate within the football community: is the FFSL relying too heavily on short-term solutions rather than investing in sustainable growth?
Absence of Local Structure
For the past few years, no major national tournaments have been held at the senior level. The lack of a structured league and proper youth pathway continues to limit opportunities for local players. Without regular match experience and grassroots exposure, emerging talent struggles to reach the international stage.
Glimpses of Hope – Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025 & Grassroots Push
However, there are signs of renewal. Across the country, small-scale academies tournaments are taking shape — often organized with assistance from the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL).
Among the most significant initiatives is the Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025 Schools Football Tournament, organised in collaboration with Sri Lankan Sports TV and the School Football Association. Although it faced early administrative hurdles with FFSL, the event was successfully negotiated and is now underway as planned, providing a crucial platform for school-level footballers to showcase their potential.
This partnership-driven approach reflects a growing understanding that grassroots and school tournaments are the foundation for long-term success. If nurtured properly, they could help produce the next generation of Sri Lankan-born football stars — reducing the dependency on foreign-origin players in the future.
The Way Forward
While the ranking rise brings optimism, experts caution that sustainable progress will only come through systematic development, transparent governance, and strong youth structures. The FFSL must focus on building a local ecosystem that nurtures homegrown talent, ensuring that the future of Sri Lankan football is not built solely on temporary fixes but on lasting foundations.
Football
Zahira College Colombo Dominate Group A — Gampola Zahira and Darussalam Battle for Second Spot
The Group A stage of the Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025 Schools Football Championship is heating up, with Zahira College Colombo emerging as the clear frontrunner after an unbeaten run in their first two matches. With six points and an impressive 8–2 goal difference, Zahira are well on course to top the group and secure a direct berth to the quarterfinals.
Zahira’s attacking flair and tactical balance have made them one of the most complete teams in this year’s tournament. Their consistent performances have set the tone in Group A, making them strong contenders for the overall title.
Behind them, the battle for the second qualifying spot is intensifying between Darussalam College and Gampola Zahira College. Both teams currently sit on three points each, but Darussalam have played one match more, leaving Gampola Zahira with a crucial game in hand.
Kingswood College, despite showing moments of promise, have struggled to convert opportunities into results and remain winless after three outings.
With two group matches remaining, the race for quarterfinal qualification is expected to go down to the wire. Zahira Colombo, the current Group A leader, will likely face Vaddakkachchi Central College (D2) from Group D in the knockout stage, while the second-placed team will meet Hameed Al Husseinie College (D1) — setting up thrilling contests ahead.
School | M | W | L | D | GS | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zahira College, Colombo | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 6 |
Gampola Zahira College | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
Darussalam College | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
Kingswood College | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 13 | -8 | 0 |



Football
Hameed Al Husseinie and Vaddakkachchi Central March into Quarterfinals of Ball Blaster 2025
The Group D stage of the Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025 Schools Football Championship concluded with Hameed Al Husseinie College and Vaddakkachchi Central College sealing their spots in the quarterfinals after a fiercely contested round of matches.
Hameed Al Husseinie topped the group with an unbeaten record, securing 7 points from three matches, including two wins and one draw. Their dominance was evident with a commanding 9 goals scored while conceding only one — showcasing a solid attacking unit and disciplined defense.
Vaddakkachchi Central College earned the second qualification spot with 5 points, winning one and drawing two matches. Despite a lower goal tally of five, their consistency and composure under pressure helped them edge out Baduriya College, who finished third with four points.
Al-Falah College, meanwhile, struggled to find rhythm throughout the group stage, finishing at the bottom without a win.
According to the tournament structure, Group D winner Hameed Al Husseinie College (D1) will face Group A runner-up (A2) in the quarterfinals, while Vaddakkachchi Central (D2) will meet Group A winner, most probably Zahira College Colombo (A1) — a clash that promises thrilling football action.
As the competition intensifies, both qualifying teams from Group D will be looking to carry their momentum into the knockout rounds and make a strong statement in their quest for the prestigious Lifebuoy Ball Blaster Championship 2025 title.
🏅 Final Group D Standings
School | MP | W | L | D | GS | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hameed Al Husseinie College | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 7 |
Vaddakkachchi Central College | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 5 |
Baduriya College | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 4 |
Al-Falah College | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | -9 | 0 |








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