SLIIT 1 vs 1 UOC Football

UOC Football travelled to the SLIIT Grounds on 2 May 2026 for a 4:00pm kick-off in a friendly away fixture that ended in a 1-1 stalemate after 90 minutes of competitive football. Both sides shared the spoils in a match that saw moments of quality and tactical adjustments from each manager.

UOC Football lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying Muthusha Chamod in goal to marshal the defence. The back four consisted of Anuruth Kaushalya at right back, Izzath Raji and Abdul Raheem as the central defensive pairing, and Arshad Burhanudeen operating on the left flank. In midfield, Saddhiq Ahamadh and Akith Jayalath held the double pivot, tasked with breaking up play and distributing the ball forward. Ahead of them, the attacking trio featured Pasindu Prabhath on the right wing, Pawan Fernando on the left, and Hanan Ahmed in the central attacking midfield role, supporting lone striker Radeesh Migara. The substitutes named were Mohomed Ihsan and Wendt Edmund.

The match began with both teams probing cautiously, but it was SLIIT who struck first in the 18th minute. A frantic goalmouth scramble saw the home side pounce on a loose ball, with their forward slotting home with his right foot to give SLIIT an early lead. The goal unsettled UOC Football briefly, prompting a swift tactical response.

Just two minutes later, UOC Football made their first substitution, bringing on Mohomed Ihsan for Hanan Ahmed in a tactical switch aimed at injecting fresh impetus into the attacking midfield. The change paid dividends in the 32nd minute when Ihsan stepped up to curl a direct free-kick with his right foot beyond the wall and into the net, restoring parity for the visitors. The goal was a moment of individual brilliance and lifted UOC Football’s spirits heading into the break.

The first half concluded with the score locked at 1-1, setting the stage for a competitive second period. The defensive lines remained disciplined, but the intensity increased as both sides sought to gain the upper hand.

Early in the second half, UOC Football’s right defender Anuruth Kaushalya was shown a yellow card in the 55th minute for a deliberate handball, a caution that would force him to be more cautious in his defensive duties. Ten minutes later, SLIIT received a yellow card for a bad tackle, reflecting the physical nature of the contest.

Mohomed Ihsan, who had come on as a substitute, was also booked in the 68th minute for a bad tackle, indicating the rising tension and competitive edge in the midfield battles. UOC Football made their second tactical substitution in the 72nd minute, replacing striker Radeesh Migara with Wendt Edmund in an attempt to refresh their attacking options and push for a winner.

Despite the tactical changes and increased urgency, neither side could find the decisive goal in the closing stages. Both defences held firm, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw, a fair reflection of the evenly matched contest witnessed at the SLIIT Grounds.