Yemen scored goals either side of half time as they dismantled Sri Lanka in the 2-0 in the second FIFA Friendly played in Qatar on the 19th of November 2024.
Sri Lanka made four changes, with youngster Shenal Sandesh handed his first start for the national team. However, Coach Abdullah Al Mutairi was forced into a last-minute change as Leon Perera was ruled out due to injury, paving the way for Adhavan Rajamohan to join the starting XI. The visitors lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The first 17 minutes were dominated by Sri Lanka, as the visitors applied immense pressure on the home team. However, it was the hosts who struck first, with Hamza, wearing the No. 7 jersey, finding the back of the net. His goal was ruled offside, offering Sri Lanka a much-needed reprieve.
Sri Lanka’s luck ran out in the 20th minute when Hamza tapped into an open net to break the deadlock, giving Yemen a 1-0 lead.
Just four minutes later, Dillon De Silva made a brilliant run down the far-right wing, showcasing his individual brilliance, but failed to finish as Yemen goalkeeper Mohomed Aman denied him.
In the 35th minute, Yemen conceded a handball, and Sri Lanka was awarded a penalty, presenting a golden opportunity to draw level. Jack Hingert stepped up but missed the mark, hitting the woodwork, as Sri Lanka’s chance went astray.
This was the final opportunity for either side in the first half, as an eventful and topsy-turvy 45 minutes drew to a close.
>>Sri Lanka stuns 154th-Ranked Yemen with historic 1-0 victory
Sri Lanka started the second half with intent and a point to prove but struggled to break through Yemen’s defense.
Yemen’s goal scorer Hamza had a chance to double his team’s lead when Sri Lankan skipper Sujan Perera was caught off his line. However, Hamza’s effort hit the woodwork, keeping Sri Lanka in contention.
As Sri Lanka threw everything they had at Yemen, their defense was left exposed in the 90+5th minute. Substitute Ali Nasar capitalized, driving the ball low past a diving Sujan Perera to seal the game.
The match ended 2-0 in Yemen’s favor, concluding the two-match FIFA Friendly Series at 1-1, with the spoils shared between the two teams.
Full Time: Yemen 2-0 Sri Lanka
