One of the highlights of university sports, the football competition of the XV Sri Lanka University Games 2025, unfolded successfully with highly competitive encounters and plenty of nail-biting finishes. The tournament was organised by Rajarata University and took place over a week at the Rajarata University Grounds, Mihintale, Anuradhapura. The hard work, dedication, and unmatched skill of the players paved the way for the lads from South Eastern University to be crowned as the football champions of the XV SLUG 2025.
In total, 14 out of 16 state universities participated in the tournament, and in the preliminary round, the teams were pooled into the following four groups:
Group A: University of Kelaniya, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, University of Peradeniya, Eastern University Sri Lanka
Group B: Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, University of Jaffna, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
Group C: University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka
Group D: University of Moratuwa, University of Colombo, University of Ruhuna, University of Vavuniya
After some thrilling football action, the University of Moratuwa, University of Jaffna, and Eastern University cruised into the semifinals as unbeaten group leaders. There was a tie in Group C, as all three teams ended with one win and one loss, but the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and South Eastern University earned their tickets to the quarterfinals on goal difference. The University of Kelaniya, University of Ruhuna, and Sabaragamuwa University claimed the remaining spots as the runners-up of their respective groups.
- Sabaragamuwa (girls) & Colombo (boys) storm to Inter University Hockey Championship titles
- University of Colombo defends the title at the high-stakes final in Nittawela
- University of Colombo clinch Inter-University Cricket title with all-round brilliance
- University of Sri Jayewardenepura clinches Inter-University Baseball title with a breakthrough victory
In the quarterfinals, the University of Jaffna stormed into the semifinals with a commanding 4–0 victory against the University of Ruhuna. The University of Moratuwa and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura also advanced to the semifinals after hard-fought matches. The quarterfinal between South Eastern University and the University of Kelaniya was a thriller that ended in a 1–1 tie. However, the lads from South Eastern held their nerve to win on penalties, 5–4.
The semifinals were close tussles, with both encounters ending in draws during regular time. During the tense penalty shootouts, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and South Eastern University sealed their spots in the final.
The much-awaited final was an acid test for both sides, with the intensity building through every pass, tackle, and shot. In the end, the lads from South Eastern University had the final say, completing their revenge against J’pura as they found the back of the net with the only goal of the match.
Despite their early loss in the opening game against J’pura, the lads from South Eastern University enjoyed a highly successful SLUG journey, demonstrating outstanding skill, commitment, and determination—reinforcing their reputation as a powerhouse in university football.
Result of the football championship
Preliminary Round
Group A
University of Kelaniya 02 – 02 Rajarata University (Kelaniya won on penalties 3 – 2)
University of Peradeniya 00 – 01 Eastern University Sri Lanka
Eastern University Sri Lanka 02 – 02 Rajarata University (Eastern won on penalties 3 – 1)
University of Kelaniya 01 – 00 University of Peradeniya
University of Peradeniya 02 – 00 Rajarata University
University of Kelaniya 01 – 01 Eastern University Sri Lanka (Eastern won on penalties 5 – 3)
Group B
Wayamba University of Sri Lanka 01 – 01 University of Jaffna (Jaffna won on penalties 3 – 0)
Wayamba University of Sri Lanka 00 – 04 Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
University of Jaffna 01 – 00 Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
Group C
University of Sri Jayewardenepura 00 – 01 Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
University of Sri Jayewardenepura 02 – 01 South Eastern University
South Eastern University 02 – 00 Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Group D
University of Moratuwa 03 – 00 University of Colombo
University of Colombo 02 – 00 University of Vavuniya
University of Moratuwa 01 – 00 University of Ruhuna
University of Ruhuna 05 – 00 University of Vavuniya
University of Moratuwa 02 – 00 University of Vavuniya
University of Colombo 02 – 02 University of Ruhuna (Ruhuna won on penalties 4 – 3)
Quarter Finals
University of Moratuwa 02 – 03 Sabaragamuwa University
University of Jaffna 04 – 00 University of Ruhuna
South Eastern University 01 – 01 University of Kelaniya (South Eastern won on penalties 5 – 4)
University of Sri Jayewardenepura 02 – 00 Eastern University
Semi Finals
South Eastern University 01 – 01 Sabaragamuwa University (South Eastern won on penalties 5 – 4)
University of Sri Jayewardenepura 00 – 00 University of Jaffna (J’pura won on penalties 3 – 0)
3rd place play-off
University of Jaffna 00 – 00 Sabaragamuwa University (Jaffna won on penalties 3 – 1)
The Finals
South Eastern University 01 – 00 University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Victorious South Eastern University team
1st runners-up University of Sri Jayewardenepura
2nd runners-up University of Jaffna
