FFSL Champions League 2025–26: Saunders SC end New Star’s unbeaten run

By Susil Premalal

Saunders Sports Club produced a major upset in the ongoing FFSL Champions League 2025–26 by defeating previously unbeaten New Star Sports Club Panadura 1–0, bringing an end to their perfect run in the tournament.

Organised by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), the Champions League is being played at the Race Course Ground, Colombo, with the participation of 14 top-division teams. New Star SC, representing Group ‘A’, had won all four of their previous matches and were leading the group unbeaten. However, they suffered an unexpected setback in their fifth match, played last Friday against Saunders SC.

Despite the win, Saunders SC remain second in Group ‘A’ with 10 points from five matches, having recorded four wins and one draw, while New Star SC still lead the group with 12 points.

The decisive goal came in the 36th minute, when Indeewa Udara converted a penalty for Saunders SC. No further goals were scored by either side after that. M.M. Nalim of Saunders SC was adjudged Man of the Match. Meanwhile, in other matches played over the weekend, Java Lane SC defeated Negombo Youth SC 2–1, while Solid SC Anuradhapura recorded an emphatic 6–1 victory over Moragasmulla SC.

Java Lane SC went into halftime with a 2–0 lead, thanks to goals by Oluwaseun Olawale in the 9th minute and Harsha Sumudu in the 19th minute. Negombo Youth SC scored their lone goal in the 89th minute through Mohamed Rifkhan, who was also named Man of the Match.

Solid SC dominated their encounter against Moragasmulla SC, securing a comfortable 6–1 win. Notably, two of Solid’s six goals came from own goals by Moragasmulla players Mohamed Shifan (22nd minute) and Ayantha Shavinda (33rd minute).

The remaining goals for Solid SC were scored by Mensah Prince (12th minute), Henry Chibueze (26th and 53rd minutes), and Kennady Johnraj in stoppage time (90+2 minute). Hansa Kalhara scored the consolation goal for Moragasmulla SC in the 42nd minute. Srimuralitharan Jabesh of Solid SC was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.