Sri Lanka secured a stunning 3-1 victory over higher-ranked Chinese Taipei in a crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match held at the Racecourse Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday.
The win marks a significant step forward in Sri Lanka’s football resurgence under head coach Abdullah Al Mutairi. Ranked 200th in the world, Sri Lanka outplayed 166th-ranked Chinese Taipei in a must-win encounter, igniting hopes of advancing further in the qualifiers for the 2027 tournament.
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) |
