Sri Lanka stuns Yemen 1-0 in historic FIFA win

Sri Lanka achieved their first-ever football victory over Yemen with a 1-0 win in the opening match of their two-game FIFA International Friendly series at the Al Khor SC Stadium, Qatar on Saturday night.

The Sri Lankan, ranked 203rd in the world, defied expectations to defeat the 154th-ranked Yemen team in a thrilling encounter.

The game’s decisive moment came in the 89th minute when Jack Hingert skillfully converted a header into the back of the net following a well-executed long throw-in. Bharath Suresh’s precise flick created the perfect opportunity for Hingert, whose clinical finish sealed the win for Sri Lanka in dramatic fashion.

This exceptional performance marks a turning point for Sri Lanka, which is striving to improve its FIFA world ranking. Despite Yemen’s dominance in past matchups—including their last clash in October 2023, where Yemen secured a 3-0 win—Sri Lanka showed grit and resilience to rewrite the narrative.

Sri Lanka’s coach, Abdullah Almutairi, expressed pride in his team’s historic victory, saying, “This win shows the hard work and determination of our players. We have proven that we can compete at the highest level. This is just the beginning, and we will continue to grow stronger with every match.

Previously, Sri Lanka had faced Yemen three times, managing one draw and suffering two losses. This victory not only breaks their winless streak against Yemen but also sets an optimistic tone for their future.

Sri Lanka football captain, Sujan Perera, praised his team’s performance, saying, “This victory is a result of our collective effort and belief. We fought until the last minute, and it paid off. We have shown that Sri Lanka can compete with the best, and this win will inspire us to aim higher in the future.”

The Sri Lankan squad, under the guidance of Head Coach Abdullah Almutairi, will look to capitalize on this momentum in the second match of the series, scheduled for November 9, Tuesday.

Source:Daily News