Sri Lanka host Yemen at the Colombo Racecourse in Colombo on Tuesday for the second leg of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying first-round tie.
Coming into the match on the back of a 3-0 loss on Thursday, Sri Lanka's chances of reaching the second round are all but over.
Ahmed Maher put Yemen in front after 33 minutes in the first half. Nasser Ahmed Al-Gahwashi made it 2-0 in the 68th minute before Abdulwasea Al-Matari added a third in stoppage time.
The loss all but ends the Golden Army's chances of reaching the next round, and they could make a first-round exit for the fourth time from the last five World Cup qualification campaigns.
Ranked at 202, Sri Lanka are one of the weakest sides in the world, with only five teams placed below them.
Yemen have one foot in the second round and can afford to take their foot off the pedal here. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are waiting for them in Group H, with the winner of Nepal vs Laos also set to join them.
Al-Yaman As-Sa'eed's only participation this year was in the Gulf Cup back in January, wherein they lost all three games. A 2-0 loss to Saudi Arabia was followed by a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Oman before a 5-0 drubbing by Iraq in their last game.
Sri Lanka vs Yemen Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This is only the second encounter between Sri Lanka and Yemen.
- Yemen beat Sri Lanka 3-0 on Thursday in their first-ever encounter, which was the first leg of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying first round.
- After losing three games in a row, Yemen won their first game of the year with the Sri Lanka conquest.
- Sri Lanka are winless in their last five games and have won just once in their last 23: a 2-1 win over Bangladesh in the 2021 Four Nations Tournament.
Sri Lanka vs Yemen Prediction
Sri Lanka's chances of reaching the next round are all but over as Yemen hold a big advantage coming into the second leg.
The Middle Eastern side will be eager to complete the double and we expect them to secure another win in this match.
Prediction: Sri Lanka 0-1 Yemen
Sri Lanka vs Yemen Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Yemen to win
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: No