Maldivian hoodoo continues to haunt Sri Lanka, as hosts suffer yet another shock defeat
Maldives once again showed their dominance over Sri Lanka as they cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory in the opening match of the South Asian Super Cup, played at the Racecourse Stadium yesterday. The visitors led 2-0 at half-time before sealing the win with a late strike.
Maldives, known as the ‘Red Snappers’, struck the opening blow in the 30th minute. Their swift attacking play cut through the Sri Lankan defence and left home fans stunned, when Naiz Hassan headed a corner kick, completely taking the hosts by surprise.
Four minutes later the pressure mounted again. A defensive lapse allowed the visitors to score an easy second goal. Sri Lanka’s captain and goalkeeper, Sujan Perera, was left helpless as the ball rolled into the net when the Maldivians cannily intercepted a pass as Ibrahim Hussain put the final touches.
By the break, Maldives were firmly in control with a 2-0 lead, continuing their long history of superiority against Sri Lanka on the football pitch.
The second half brought hope for the home side. In the 61st minute, referee pointed to the penalty spot after Maldives defender Mohamed Irufan handled the ball inside the box. Irufan was shown a yellow card, and the home crowd roared in anticipation.
Sam Durrant, one of Sri Lanka’s brightest prospects, stepped up to take the penalty. With the score at 2-0, it was the perfect chance to turn the game around.
But his weak shot was easily saved by the Maldivian goalkeeper, crushing Sri Lanka’s momentum. The missed opportunity proved costly, as Sri Lanka never recovered their rhythm.
Maldives waited patiently and struck again in injury time. In the 92nd minute, experienced forward Ali Fasir finished clinically to make it 3-0, putting the result beyond doubt. When the final whistle blew, Maldives walked away with their 10th win over Sri Lanka, adding another chapter to a one-sided rivalry.
The second leg of the two-match series will be played on September 9, once again at the Racecourse Stadium. Maldives will carry a superior 3-0 aggregate lead into that clash, leaving Sri Lanka with a mountain to climb if they hope to turn the tables.
Despite the heavy defeat, Sri Lanka’s head coach Abdullah Almutairi backed his young team to bounce back.
“We missed very easy chances. When you miss such chances, the game goes away from you. But I am proud of my boys. We will be back in the second match,” Almutairi said after the game.
He added that his team must learn quickly to make home advantage count. “The negatives from this match must be felt. This is your ground, and you must play with pride. The second match will be thrilling. We need to show our best.”
| The decision by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) to keep mainstream media photographers out of yesterday’s international friendly between Sri Lanka and the Maldives at the Racecourse has stirred fresh criticism of its leadership. In a game that ended in disappointment for the hosts with a 3-0 defeat, the federation’s move to exclude accredited photographers raised eyebrows. For years, football in Sri Lanka has been trapped in a cycle of corruption, poor governance, and administrative squabbles, leaving the game lagging behind in development. At a time when visibility and media engagement are essential to revive interest, shutting out photographers appears counterproductive. Coverage of matches is vital not only for fans but also for attracting sponsors and inspiring the next generation of players. By isolating the media, FFSL risks further alienating supporters and undermining the few positives the sport still clings to. | |