Sri Lanka lit up the Racecourse Grounds in Colombo with a commanding 3-1 victory over Chinese Taipei in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier for Saudi Arabia 2027, delivering one of their most composed and dominant performances in recent memory.
From the opening whistle, the home team looked confident and in control, clearly determined to build on last week’s morale-boosting 1-0 win over Brunei Darussalam in a FIFA friendly in Bangkok. Their control of the game was evident in every department, Sri Lanka enjoyed superior possession, launched 15 shots compared to their opponents’ four, and recorded nine shots on target while Chinese Taipei managed just one. The home side also forced seven corners, conceding only two.
After a goalless first half, the breakthrough came in the 48th minute. Adhani Rajamohan capitalised on a pinpoint cross from Dellon Senan on the left flank to slot the ball neatly into the net. The goal energized the crowd—and the team.
Barely three minutes later, it was Senan’s turn to take centre stage. Pouncing on a turnover near the penalty area, the striker unleashed a long-range effort that caught the opposition goalkeeper off guard, doubling Sri Lanka’s lead in style.
The hosts then put the match beyond reach in the 58th minute. Midfield orchestrator Waseem Razick concluded a well-worked team play with a clinical finish, making it 3-0.
Although Chinese Taipei pulled one back in the 69th minute through substitute Huang Wei-Chien following a free-kick, the outcome was never in doubt.
The win not only gave Sri Lanka their first-ever international victory over Chinese Taipei but also leveled the Group ‘D’ table—placing Sri Lanka on three points alongside Thailand and Turkmenistan. With renewed belief and momentum, Sri Lanka’s road to Saudi Arabia 2027 is suddenly looking a lot more promising.
