Sri Lanka women’s team kicks off SAFF C’ship against Maldives

The Sri Lanka women’s football team is ready to take the field today (Friday) at 1:15 PM Sri Lanka time for their first match in the SAFF Women’s Championship to be held at the Dashrath Stadium in Nepal, where Sri Lanka will battle against the Maldives.

Both teams are eager to make a strong start in this seven-nation tournament, which will run until October 30. Sri Lanka is placed in Group B, alongside Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives, while Group A features India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

In the FIFA women’s football rankings, Sri Lanka holds the 157th position, while the Maldives is slightly behind at 161st.

“We are excited to start our journey in the SAFF Championship,” said Sri Lanka women’s captain Thushani Madushika at the pre-match press conference. “We have trained hard and are ready to give our best against Maldives. Every match is an opportunity for us to showcase our skills, and we aim to make our country proud.”

“We started practices 40 days ago, and our players have improved,” said Sri Lanka women’s football Head Coach Hassan Roomy during the pre-match press briefing. “At the moment, my team is in good shape. They have improved and are ready to give a fight to other teams.”

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The first semi-final will feature the winner of Group A against the runner-up from Group B, while the second semi-final will see the winner of Group B take on the runner-up from Group A.

Sri Lanka is looking forward to a competitive tournament as they aim to secure their place in the knockout stage.

Sri Lanka women’s football team: Tushani Madushika (captain), Francis Salomi, Maheshika Kumudini, Shashikala Ratnayake, Sakura Sewwandi, Praveena Perera, Sachini de Silva, Achala Perera, Sahanika Somaratne, Poornima Perera, Selvaraj Yuwarani, Ayomi Weerasingha, Madubhashini Perera, Paskaran Shanu, Stephnie Dias, Geethanjali Madhushani, Ashani Imesha, Dilinika Sooriyaarachchi, Surenthiran Gowri, Warnakulasuriya Imesha, Sivaneswaran Tharmika, Tharindi Welivita, and Sanduni Sewmini.