FFSL Champions League 2025/2026: Police SC, Serandib SC and Saunders SC secure opening wins

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka Police SC, Serandib SC and Saunders SC emerged victorious in their first-round matches of the FFSL Champions League 2025/2026, played at the Racecourse Grounds in Colombo over the weekend.

The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) restarted domestic football after a three-year hiatus, with the tournament featuring 85 matches and 14 top-tier clubs competing until February 2026.

In the opening fixtures, Sri Lanka Police SC defeated Supersons SC 3–1, Serandib SC outclassed SLTB SC 6–0, and Saunders SC edged out Crystal Palace SC 2–1. The match between Moragasmulla SC and Pelicans SC ended in a 1–1 draw.

Each of the 14 participating teams will play 13 preliminary-round matches. The top teams from Groups A and B—four from each group—will qualify for the Super 8 stage.

According to FFSL’s 2025 budget, approximately Rs. 70 million has been allocated for the Champions League and the 2026 Super League tournaments.
Participating Clubs:

Group A: Javalane SC, Saunders SC, New Star SC (Beruwala), Serandib SC (Mawanella), SLVB SC, Negombo Youth SC, Crystal Palace SC (Kurunegala), and defending champions Matara City SC.

Group B: Solid SC (Anuradhapura), Moragasmulla SC, Sri Lanka Police SC, Superson SC (Beruwala), Pelicans SC (Kurunegala), and St. Mary’s SC (Chilaw).

Match Results:
Moragasmulla SC 1 – 1 Pelicans SC
Goal Scorers: Pelicans SC: Yasasvin Thirimanna (12’); Moragasmulla SC: Pubudu Sakulada (47’)
Police SC 3 – 1 Supersons SC
Goal Scorers: Police SC: Chalanka Nishantha (11’), Gayan Rivildu (38’), Hussein Abdullah (42’); Supersons SC: Kwabena Bonso (80’)
Serandib SC 6 – 0 SLTB SC
Goal Scorers: Mohamed Aashir (1’), Darko George (5’, 14’), Mohamed Rahoman (3’, 37’), Frimpong Yaw (35’)
Saunders SC 2 – 1 Crystal Palace SC
Goal Scorers: Saunders SC: S.K.M.S. Priyadarshana (45+3’), Sundraj Nitesh (PEN, 90’); Crystal Palace SC: Mohamed Shemak (PEN, 44’)