Sri Lanka led by veteran goalkeeper Sujan Perera will look to record a maiden triumph over Turkmenistan, when both nations clash in their 2027 Men’s AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers encounter at Racecourse Grounds, Colombo this afternoon.
The ‘Golden Army’ as the hosts are fondly called by their faithful here and the 138th-ranked Turkmenistan, have met 6 times in international competitions to date, but the former is yet to break through for a first-ever victory over their rivals from Central Asia.
Thus far Turkmenistan hold the upper hand in head-to-head stats with five wins and a draw, and on current form will go into the match as odds-on-favourites to maintain their winning streak over the home team.
Sri Lanka however, will be determined to rewrite history, despite the odds being heavily stacked against them and secure a memorable result which could bolster their AFC Asian Cup qualification hopes.
The ongoing tournament is part of the third-round of qualifications which is played from 25 March to 31 March 2026 for the final round of the 19th edition of the Men’s Asian Cup Football Tournament, which is scheduled to take place from 7 January to 5 February 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Currently Turkmenistan lead Group D with 6 points, with Thailand second with three points, Sri Lanka third also with three points with both countries being separated by goal difference and Chinese Taipei being last with zero points.
The team with the highest points tally is slated to receive recommendations to the 24-team final-round of the Asian Cup in Riyadh, and the pressure will be on Abdullah Al-Mutairi coached team to at least force a draw tonight and be in the running for a spot in the final-round.
Sri Lanka still has the return leg away to Turkmenistan in Ashgabat on next Tuesday (14), as well as hosting Thailand in Colombo on 18 November and against Chinese Taipei in Taipei on 31 March next year.
But, facing Turkmenistan away and then fronting up to the world’s 101st-ranked Thailand at home against whom they have never tasted success, will surely test their mettle in world football according to critics.
Hence the onus will be on the hosts today to produce a spirited display against the tourists, and strive hard to create football history, while being egged on by their avid followers, although the record books may suggest otherwise.
So far in the ongoing tournament, Sri Lanka who are ranked 197th in the world, have lost to Thailand 1-0 while managing to see off Chinese Taipei 3-1, while their opponents tonight have beaten Chinese Taipei 2-1 and then brushed aside the much higher-ranked Thailand 3-1.
Sri Lanka have so far played 6 internationals this year winning three and losing 2 while drawing the other, and they go into the latest fixture on the back of a 2-match series against the Maldives, as part of the inaugural South Asian Super Cup last month.
The Lankans lost the opener 3-0 to the visitors at Racecourse Grounds, but bounced back in style to draw 1-1 in the second match also at the same venue, though they lost the Cup to their neighbours, due to a higher goal aggregate of 4-1.
The home team will therefore draw inspiration from the return clash against Maldives in early September, as they prepare to hit the ground running against the Central Asians today.
Turkmenistan will be captained by defender Mekan Saparow with Rovshen Meredov being their head coach.
Sri Lanka squad –
Sujan Perera (capt.), Mohamed Mursith, Mohammad Hasmeer, Jason Thayaparan, Claudio Kammerknecht, William Thomason, Anujan Rajendram, Barath Suresh, Rahul Suresh, Geremi Perera, Leon Perera, Adhavan Rajamohan, Garrett Kelly, Dillon de Silva, Sam Durrant, Waseem Razeek, Oliver Kelaart and Wade Dekker
Turkmenistan squad –
Rasul Caryyew, Zafar Babajanow, Guyomyrat Annagulyyew, Mekan Saparaw (capt.), Abdy Basimow, Meylis Diniyew, Ahmet Atayew, Yazgylyc Gurbanow, Altymyrat Annadurdyyew, Elman Tagayew, Didar Durdyyew, Ybrayym Mammedow, Mihail Titow, Sanazar Tirkisow, Dayanc Meredow, Teymur Caryyew and Rustem Ahallyyew