Sri Lanka achieved a remarkable milestone by defeating Yemen 1-0

By Althaf Nawaz

Sri Lanka achieved a remarkable milestone by defeating Yemen 1-0 in their international friendly soccer encounter played in Qatar last Saturday. It was a swashbuckling performance by the team which managed to edge out the 154th FIFA-ranked Yemen.

A well-executed header by Jack David Hingert in the 89th minute of the game enabled the Lankan Lions to notch a nerve-tingling win.

After suffering defeat in the World Cup qualifying game in Riyadh against the same rivals, they managed to force a nil-all draw at home in the second leg.

This performance is highly commendable in the build-up to the SAFF Championship next year and for the Asia Cup 2027 Saudi Arabia, where the next stage of the competition is to resume in March next year.

This victory is not just a testament to the hard work and faith of the players but also a reflection of the steady rise of Sri Lankan football under the leadership of Sri Lanka Football President Jaswar Umar.

“Today, we beat a strong team, Yemen, who is ranked 154th in the FIFA ranking. This win is a big one for our football, especially in our build-up to the big tournaments listed for next year,” said Umar, who is in a phenomenal role to revamp football and climb the FIFA rankings where they might be able to reach 199 if they manage to secure a draw in the second game on 19 November at the same venue.

Umar reflected on the journey that led to this historic moment, highlighting the challenges faced along the way. “There is no doubt Sri Lankan football is steady, strong, and on the rise,” he said, reaffirming his belief in the project to rebuild the national team.

The road was anything but smooth. He admitted only a handful of people trusted his vision in the early days. Despite the criticism and scepticism, he remained steadfast, nurturing a system that is now yielding the results he always dreamed of.

Defeating Yemen is no small feat. Facing a team ranked 154th in the world posed a significant challenge for Sri Lanka, yet the players rose to the occasion.

Umar credited their faith and hard work for this breakthrough, saying: “It is even difficult to face and fight against a country ranked 154th in the world, but our faith in ourselves and hard work are starting to give us the results we dreamed of.”

Umar’s message was clear: this victory is only the beginning. He urged fans and supporters to continue believing in the team. “Once again, this is just a start. Keep believing in us; we will make Mother Sri Lanka proud,” he said, emphasising the team’s commitment to achieving even greater success.

Quoting Coach Abdullah’s words, “Lions cannot be vegetarian,” Umar encapsulated the fighting spirit and hunger for success that drive the team forward.

As the nation celebrates this achievement, Umar extended his gratitude and admiration to the players and team officials who made it possible. “Hats off to my players and team officials,” he said, recognising their dedication and contribution to Sri Lanka’s growing success in football.

This victory against Yemen is more than just a win on the field; it symbolises the emergence of Sri Lankan football as a force to be reckoned with. Under Umar’s visionary leadership, the future of Sri Lankan football looks brighter than ever.