Sri Lanka’s national football team clinched a historic win over Cambodia in a nail-biting penalty shootout during the second leg of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers playoffs. The thrilling encounter saw Sri Lanka emerge victorious after a 2-2 draw in regulation time, securing their place in the 2025 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.
In a surprising move, Sri Lankan manager Abdullah Almutairi made a bold change to the starting XI, introducing veteran Waseem Razeek, while Sam Durrant, the standout performer in the first leg, was relegated to the bench. The decision raised eyebrows, but Almutairi’s tactics paid off as the Golden Army delivered a performance to remember.
The match started on an even note, with both sides struggling to find their rhythm. As halftime neared, Sri Lanka took the lead with a brilliant 37th-minute strike from Oliver Kelaart, who coolly slotted the ball into the net, sending the team into the break with a 1-0 advantage.
However, Cambodia came out swinging in the second half, leveling the score in the 50th minute with a dazzling solo effort from winger Sosidan Nhean. The hosts continued to dominate, and just eight minutes into extra time, they capitalized on a corner, punishing some lax Sri Lankan defending to take a 2-1 lead.
With time running out, Sri Lanka pushed for an equalizer and found a hero in Claudio Mathias, who scored a crucial goal in the dying moments of extra time, sending the match into penalties.
Sri Lankan captain and goalkeeper stepped up when it mattered most, saving Cambodia’s first two penalty attempts, while Jack Hingert, Oliver Kelaart, Sam Durrant, and Leon Perera all converted their spot kicks. The 4-2 penalty shootout win secured Sri Lanka’s passage to the next round.
A special highlight of the match was the debut of 18-year-old sensation Tenuka Ranaweera, who came on during extra time and played with composure beyond his years. The Sri Lankan team displayed remarkable improvement and resilience over the two legs, proving their determination to qualify for the prestigious tournament.
Sri Lanka will now prepare for the 2025 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, where they will face six challenging home and away fixtures, continuing their journey to make a mark on the continental stage.
