Super League opens with two draws

Defenders FC’s Shifan Kaleel (L) and Colombo FC’s Chalana Pramantha battle for possession during their FFSL Super League 2025/26 opening-week match 

By Susil Premalal

The opening week of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) Super League 2025/26 concluded with two drawn matches as New Youngs FC shared the points with Blue Eagles SC, while Colombo FC and Defenders FC played out a goalless stalemate.

Both matches earned each team one point at the start of the nine-week competition.

In the tournament opener on Saturday (11), New Youngs FC of Wennappuwa and Blue Eagles SC settled for a 1-1 draw. After a goalless first half, Rumesh Mendis gave New Youngs the lead in the 50th minute. Blue Eagles responded through Udara Deshan, who equalised in the 74th minute. Despite several chances created by both sides, neither team managed to find the winner.

The second match, played yesterday, saw Colombo FC and Defenders FC battle to a 0-0 draw, with both teams unable to break the deadlock throughout the 90 minutes.

The FFSL Super League, returning after a three-year absence, features 10 leading clubs and will run over nine weeks, with five matches scheduled each week until September 15. The participating clubs are New Youngs FC, Colombo FC, Blue Star SC, Renown SC, Sea Hawks FC, Blue Eagles SC, Defenders FC, Up Country Lions SC, Ratnam SC, and Red Star SC.

The competition is also expected to serve as a key preparation platform for players ahead of the SAFF Cup 2026, which will be held in Bangladesh from November 7 to 17.