AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers: Taipei-Lanka seek landmark wins of their own

Sri Lanka will look to create a piece of history when they face hosts Chinese Taipei in their final match of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 (Saudi Arabia) Qualifiers – third round Group D fixture at the Municipal Stadium in Taipei today (31). The kick-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. SL time.

The Lankans led by veteran goalkeeper Sujan Perera are yet to prevail on Taipei soil to date, and therefore the clash this afternoon will present the tourists an opportunity to rewrite the record books, in what promises to be a dead rubber affair otherwise.

Both sides are currently out of contention after losing to the group pacesetters Thailand and Turkmenistan respectively, but the tourists will be determined to further improve their FIFA World Ranking, where they are currently placed at 195 as opposed to Taipei’s 174. 

The visitors have thus far got the wood on their hosts as they remain unbeaten in four internationals with three wins and a draw, with Taipei also striving for glory of their own by overcoming the former for the first time ever.

However, strangely enough the Lankans have not tasted success in Taipei and today’s encounter will be motivation enough for the Abdulla Almutairi-coached outfit to rectify that anomaly, while warming up for a busy international football schedule during the latter half of 2026.

In the ongoing tournament Sri Lanka have so far played five games posting two wins and three losses with the group also featuring Turkmenistan, Thailand and Taipei.

The Lankans previously gained wins over Turkmenistan (1-0) in Colombo and Chinese Taipei (3-1) in Colombo both last year, but tasted defeat at the hands of Thailand in Bangkok (1-0) and Colombo (4-0), besides a 2-1 reverse to Turkmenistan in Arkadag also in 2025.

Source: The morning