Sri Lanka suffered another humiliation, this time at the hands of Bahrain, losing 9-0 in a group B encounter in the 2020 AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers held at the Khalifa Sports City Stadium, Isa Town, Bahrain.
Palestine shows no mercy to Sri Lanka
Palestine hammered Sri Lanka in a 9-0 win in a group B match in the…
Sri Lanka lost to Palestine with the exact score line a couple of days back and were looking for a much-improved performance against the host country. Fellow SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) country Bangladesh only lost 1-0 to Bahrain, two days back, and Palestine, in the early kick-off.
Bahrain, who played the day’s later match, were a team in a hurry for goals against Sri Lanka as Head Coach Samir Chammam’s men turned on the power from the first blow of the referee’s whistle.
Aware that goal difference could prove crucial in deciding who would advance to the Finals, Bahrain’s rush for goals started in the 14th minute with Mohamed Jasim Marhoon giving them the lead they craved.
Mohamed Naseem Alshamsi doubled Bahrain’s lead nine minutes later and by the 31st minute, they were 4-0 up with Hashim Sayed Isa (29th) and Abdulaziz Khalid (31st) both scoring from the penalty spot.
Read More: Why were they dropped from Sri Lanka U23 squad?
Jude Suman gave away his third penalty, for the Sayed Isa goal, after conceding two against Palestine and Sivakumaran Kirishanth committed the 2nd penalty foul for a shirt tug.
There was to be more joy before the break as Marhoon scoring his second of the night in added time.
Half Time – Bahrain 5 – 0 Sri Lanka
There was to be no respite for Sri Lanka as Bahrain continued their search for goals in the second half and just three minutes in, it was 6-0 in their favour with Ahmed Abdulrahman Alsherooqi finding the back of the net.
Ahmed Mubarak Bughammar scored Bahrain’s third spot-kick of the match in the 74th minute and added his second from open play in the 80th before Hashim Sayed Isa capped off the sterling performance with the final goal of the match in the 85th minute.
Read More: Sri Lanka squad announced for AFC U23 qualifiers
Bahrain and Palestine will square off on Tuesday to decide who gets the automatic ticket from Group B of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 Qualifiers. Both West Asian teams will head into the deciding tie needing a win as they are not only tied on six points but also on goal difference after having beaten Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with identical scores.
Full Time – Bahrain 9 – 0 Sri Lanka
Goal Scorers
Bahrain – Mohamed Jasim Marhoon 14’ & 45+1’, Mohamed Naseem Alshamsi 23’, Hashim Sayed Isa 29’(P) & 85’, Abdulaziz Khalid 31’(P), Ahmed Abdulrahman Alsherooqi 48’, Ahmed Mubarak Bughammar 74’(P) & 80’
>>For more National Football News Click Here<<
