Football
Sri Lanka Women Face Formidable Nepal After Heavy Defeat to Uzbekistan | AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Colombo, July 1 – The Sri Lanka Women’s Football Team is set to face a high-flying Nepal side on Wednesday, July 2 at 6:00 PM, in their second Group F fixture of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Both teams come into the match from very different ends of the performance spectrum, with Sri Lanka suffering a humiliating 10-0 defeat to Uzbekistan, while Nepal cruised past Laos with a dominant 9-0 victory.
This upcoming clash is not just a test of skill and strategy, but a reflection of each country’s football system, preparation, and investment in women’s football.
Nepal W 9-0 Laos W – Tactical Brilliance & Ruthless Execution
Nepal’s win over Laos was a showcase of tactical superiority, creative attacking play, and technical dominance.
Key Match Statistics:
- Possession: 65% (Nepal) vs 35% (Laos)
- Shots on Target: 15 (Nepal)
- Total Shots: 24 (Nepal)
- Shots Off Target: 9
- xG (Expected Goals): 3.04 (Nepal)
- Corners: 2
- Fouls Committed: 8
- Cards: 0
Nepal’s forward line was relentless, converting 15 of their 24 shots into direct goal-scoring opportunities. Despite having only two corners, they dominated through quick transitions, direct play, and high pressing. The clean disciplinary record and offside count of 3 reflect a well-coached and tactically aware squad.
Uzbekistan W 10-0 Sri Lanka W – Tactical Collapse & Lack of Structure
Sri Lanka’s opening match was a disaster from start to finish, exposing major gaps in fitness, coordination, and defensive strategy.
Key Match Statistics:
- Possession: 30% (Sri Lanka)
- Shots on Target: 0
- Total Shots: 2 (0 on target)
- Dangerous Attacks: 28 (Sri Lanka) vs 137 (Uzbekistan)
- Yellow Cards: 1
- Shots Faced: 14 on target (Uzbekistan)





The team failed to create a single meaningful chance throughout the match. With a dangerous attack rate nearly 5 times lower than Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka’s midfield was bypassed repeatedly. The defense looked overwhelmed, and the few offensive moves attempted were easily neutralized.
Sri Lanka vs Nepal – A Mismatch on Paper?
Comparing the two sides:
Key Metric Nepal (vs Laos) Sri Lanka (vs Uzbekistan)
Possession 65% 30%
Shots 24 2
Shots on Target 15 0
xG 3.04 Not Recorded
Fouls 8 1
Cards 0 1 Yellow
Nepal has shown they can control the game, create chances, and finish clinically. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is still searching for basic team chemistry, structure, and rhythm. Unless major tactical changes are made, Sri Lanka could be heading into another one-sided contest.
Off-Field Crisis Continues: FFSL and Sports Ministry Silent
Behind these results lies a bigger concern—institutional failure. The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has not conducted a single women’s tournament for years, and this national team was selected through a rushed trial process. With no league structure, development program, or competitive exposure, the players were thrown into an elite qualifier underprepared.
Even after the Sri Lanka U20 team faced a heavy defeat in the SAFF Championship, no structural reforms were announced. The Ministry of Sports continues to turn a blind eye to the collapse of football development, while officials use these international appearances to tick boxes rather than foster real progress.
Final Word
As Sri Lanka takes on Nepal, fans will be hoping for a response—not just on the scoreboard but in effort, organization, and pride. However, unless deep-rooted problems are addressed, these defeats will continue to expose the broken foundations of Sri Lankan women’s football
Football
Uzbekistan Dominate Sri Lanka 10-0 in AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Colombo, June 29 – The Sri Lanka Women’s National Football Team suffered a crushing 10-0 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan in their opening fixture of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, exposing not only the performance gap on the field but also the deep-rooted structural failures off it.

From kickoff, Uzbekistan showcased their superiority with relentless attacking football, scoring five goals in each half. The match statistics tell a story of complete dominance:
- Shots on Target: 14 (Uzbekistan) vs 0 (Sri Lanka)
- Possession: 70% (Uzbekistan) vs 30% (Sri Lanka)
- Dangerous Attacks: 137 (Uzbekistan) vs 28 (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka managed only two shots in the entire match—none of which tested the opposition goalkeeper—while spending most of the game pinned back in defense.

However, beyond the scoreboard, this defeat highlights a more alarming truth: the lack of commitment to women’s football by local authorities. The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has failed to organize a single women’s tournament domestically in recent years, and the squad selected for this major continental qualifier was chosen solely through a limited trial. There was no competitive platform or league for players to develop or prove themselves ahead of international duty.
This performance is not just a reflection of the players’ inexperience—it’s a direct consequence of administrative negligence. FFSL must take full responsibility for this embarrassing result, as it continues to send underprepared teams to international tournaments merely to safeguard its position, rather than genuinely investing in the development of Sri Lankan football.
Even more concerning is the silence from the Ministry of Sports. Despite the humiliating performances of the Under-20 team in the recent SAFF Championship and now the senior women’s team in the AFC qualifiers, no action has been taken, and no accountability has been demanded. The ministry’s indifference to these repeated failures raises serious questions about its role in ensuring sports governance and development in Sri Lanka.
As Sri Lankan football continues to struggle, it is clear that without structural change, genuine investment, and accountability, results like these will only continue.
Football
Mohamed Sahi Transfer Dispute Deepens: Two Clubs, Two Contracts – One Confusing Reality
Fresh details reveal dual agreements, silent acceptance, and a looming registration problem ahead of the Champions League
Colombo – June 17, 2025:
The player registration controversy surrounding Mohamed Sahi has intensified, as newly uncovered information confirms the existence of two separate agreements signed by the player — one with New Star SC and another with Crystal Palace FC Gampola, both for the 2025/26 season.
The Timeline of Conflict
- On January 15, 2025, Mohamed Sahi received a release from his former club Eravur YSS, stating that he would be joining Crystal Palace FC.
- This release letter was shared via WhatsApp with Crystal Palace, but the original document was handed over to New Star SC, who then registered the player for the 2025/26 season based on a contract signed on January 16 for LKR 85,000.
- Later in February, Sahi went on to sign another contract — this time with Crystal Palace FC, reportedly for LKR 215,000, including two advance payments: LKR 35,000 and LKR 45,000 to his father’s account.
This sequence raises serious concerns about whether the player fully understood his obligations or whether both clubs failed to clarify the status of the original registration.
Crystal Palace Questions: Silence from New Star
Despite publicly announcing the signing of Mohamed Sahi on social media in February, New Star SC remained silent. No objections were raised until the issue surfaced during I League scrutiny.
This inaction has sparked public questions:
- Why didn’t New Star respond immediately if the player was already under contract with them?
- Was there an oversight, or did they expect the issue to resolve quietly?
I League vs Champions League Impact
While the situation has had no direct impact on the I League, given that New Star SC registered the player first and the I League is an invitational tournament not governed by the FFSL, Sahi only featured under New Star during the competition. However, the matter gains greater significance in the lead-up to the Sri Lanka Champions League, where both New Star SC and Crystal Palace FC are reported to have submitted player registrations for Mohamed Sahi, potentially triggering a registration conflict.
This raises the risk of:
- Duplicate entries under the same player ID
- Last-minute disqualifications or disputes
- Administrative confusion for tournament organizers
A Potential Settlement?
In an attempt to ease tensions, sources close to New Star SC have confirmed that Mohamed Sahi is willing to return the advance payment made by Crystal Palace FC to resolve the financial element of the issue amicably.
Final Word
While this incident is unlikely to influence the I League outcome, it exposes a flaw in inter-club communication and registration coordination. With the Champions League approaching, resolving these overlaps is essential to avoid technical complications or eligibility issues.
Football
Sahi Transfer Row Deepens: Crystal Palace FC Presents Contract, Files Complaint with FFSL
Conflicting agreements, advance payments, and dual registration raise serious concerns
The ongoing dispute over the registration of Mohamed Sahi for the I League 2025 has taken a new turn, as Crystal Palace FC Gampola has stepped forward with documentary evidence and a formal complaint to tournament organizers.
In an exclusive communication with Sri Lankan Sports TV, an official from Crystal Palace FC stated that:
Sahi signed a valid agreement with our club in February 2025, shortly after obtaining his release from Eravur YSS, specifically for the purpose of joining Crystal Palace FC. We were never informed about any subsequent agreement with New Star SC
Contract Details & Advance Payment
A copy of the player agreement signed between Mohamed Sahi and Crystal Palace FC reveals the following:
- Contract signed in February 2025
- Total contract value: Rs. 215,000
- Advance payment made: Rs. 75,000
- An agreement was signed in the presence of club representatives, binding the player to Crystal Palace FC for the 2025/26 season.
This challenges New Star SC’s claim that the player signed with them on January 16 for a yearly sum of Rs. 85,000, and raises questions about the player’s transparency in dealing with both clubs.
Complaint Filed with Organizers and FFSL
Crystal Palace FC has confirmed that they have submitted a written complaint to both the I League Organizing Committee and the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL). The complaint seeks an investigation into:
- Possible breach of contract
- Lack of notification from the player regarding dual signing
- Violation of the player registration protocol
They also question how the same player ID number may have been registered under two clubs — a concern that could reveal a technical or procedural flaw in the domestic player registration system.
Champions League Conflict Brewing?
While the I League 2025 may not be immediately impacted due to tournament scope and timing, both New Star SC and Crystal Palace FC have reportedly registered Mohamed Sahi for the upcoming Sri Lanka Champions League.
If both registrations are accepted under the same ID, it could escalate into a major eligibility issue, and the FFSL might be forced to intervene to resolve the conflict before the Champions League kicks off.
New Star’s Willingness to Resolve
Despite the brewing tension, New Star SC has indicated a willingness to resolve the financial dispute. A club official told Sri Lankan Sports TV:
Mohamed Sahi is prepared to return the Rs. 75,000 advance taken from Crystal Palace FC to settle the matter amicably.
Final Word
The case of Mohamed Sahi is now more than a transfer mix-up — it reflects deeper administrative and gaps in player monitoring and registrations . As Sri Lanka’s football structure aspires for professionalism, establishing a centralized, transparent player registration system is critical to avoid such dual-signing debacles.
-
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
-
Football5 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
-
Football5 months ago
Erling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City