SAFF Futsal Championship: India beat Sri Lanka 4-1 to register second straight win
India’s men’s futsal team defeated Sri Lanka 4-1 at the SAFF Futsal Championship in Thailand, riding on a first-half burst that included a brace by Seaon Dsouza. The win kept India in the race for a strong finish as the inaugural tournament drew toward its final fixtures.
India’s men’s futsal team continued its positive run at the SAFF Futsal Championship 2026 with a 4-1 win over Sri Lanka at the Nonthaburi Stadium in Thailand on 24 January 2026. The result was India’s second straight victory in the tournament, building on an earlier high-scoring performance and giving the side momentum heading into the final phase of the competition.
The match was effectively decided in the first half. Seaon Dsouza scored twice, while Lalsawmpuia and Nikhil Mali added one goal each. Sri Lanka’s Mohamed Kursheeth got on the scoresheet as well, but India’s early intensity and finishing proved decisive, allowing the team to control the contest after the opening period.
The win carried table implications as the championship moved closer to its conclusion. According to the tournament update, India climbed in the standings and set up a final matchday scenario with positioning still at stake. With a short-format competition, the margin for error is slim, making every fixture important for confidence, goal difference and ranking.
For Indian football, futsal remains a developing pathway, but results at regional competitions can help expand attention, encourage structured programmes and improve player pools. Strong performances also give federations and coaches more evidence for investing in specialised futsal training, which differs from outdoor football in pace, decision-making and technical patterns.
India’s 4-1 win over Sri Lanka, powered by a dominant first half and a standout brace, showed the team’s ability to execute plans quickly and finish chances. As the tournament’s final fixtures approach, India’s immediate target is to convert momentum into a higher placement and use the campaign as a base for longer-term growth in futsal.