Women's Football: Sri Lanka knocked-out SAFF Football semi-finals

Sri Lanka came up with a disappointing performance as they failed to reach the semi-finals of the 4th South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship which is now in progress in Siliguri, India. 

Seven SAF countries apart from Pakistan participated in this tournament conducted by the South Asian Football Federation. 

Sri Lanka was drawn into Group ‘A’ of the tournament and suffered a 2-5 defeat against Maldives in their opening fixture. 

Sri Lanka came back strongly in their next outing and beat Bhutan 2-0. 

However, Sri Lanka’s hopes of making it to the semi-finals were dashed when they lost to Nepal 0-1 in their third and final match of the tournament following an own goal. 

Sri Lanka altogether managed to score only four goals during the entire tournament through Erandi Liyanage (2), Madushika Kumudini (1) and Praveena Perera (1). 

In addition, R. Gunawardena netted an own goal. 

Meanwhile, Nepal and Maldives (Group ‘A’) and India and Bangladesh (Group ‘B’) have qualified to play in the semi-finals which will be played on January 2 with the final on January 4. 

India won the inaugurated tournament in 2010 and they succeeded in retaining the title in 2012 and 2014 respectively. 

Sri Lanka have never reached the semi-finals of this tournament.