Sri Lanka displayed a remarkable improvement in their performance, securing a thrilling 1-1 draw against Yemen in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asia Cup 2027 preliminary round one, second leg match held at the Racecourse Grounds in Colombo today.
After suffering a 0-3 defeat against the same opponents in Abha, Saudi Arabia last week, the home team regrouped and managed to equalize in the second half, having been trailing 0-1 at halftime.
This result holds significant importance for Sri Lanka, as it marks their first international draw in three years.
Yemen took an early lead in the fourth minute through their captain and center-forward, Abdul Wasea Al-Matari, who scored a brilliant individual goal.
In the second half, Sri Lanka showcased great determination, mounting considerable pressure on their stronger opponents.
They created several scoring opportunities, including a penalty kick by Razeek Ahmed in the 50th minute, but were unable to convert them into goals.
However, their perseverance paid off when captain Charitha Rathnayaka found the back of the net from a successful corner kick in the 89th minute.
Despite the draw, Yemen secured qualification for the second round with a 4-1 aggregate goal difference.
