Sri Lanka

Early history

In January 1933, an All-Ceylon side lost 0–1 against the touring Indian football team. Though it was an All-Bengal team organised by the IFA, it was a de facto Indian national football team.

In 1939, the Ceylon Football Association was formed.

In 1946 and 1948, Ceylon played against touring Indian sides. In April 1949, the team played two test matches against the touring Indian national football team, losing 0–1 and 1–6 respectively. The same year, Ceylon played two matches against the touring Pakistani team Jinnah Gymkhana, losing 0–4 and 0–1.

FIFA recognition (1950s)

In 1952, Ceylon became a member of FIFA. The team participated in the 1952 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament, held in Colombo. Later on, the team also participated in the 1953, 1954 and 1955 editions of the tournament.

In 1956, the team played two test matches against the touring Pakistan national team, losing and drawing once. The next year, Ceylon played against the touring Soviet team Neftyanik.

In 1958, the team toured the far east under the captainship of Tom Ossen.

1960s

In January 1960, Ceylon played two test matches against touring soviet club Zenit Leningrad. The next year the team played test matches against touring Soviet club Spartak Praha Sokolovo and Brazilian club Madureira. Ceylon began participating in the Southern Pentangular Tournament, a regional football competition held among Ceylon and leading Indian state teams during the 1960s, later reduced to a quadrangular format in 1970. Ceylon took part in all editions held in 1961 (Bangalore), 1962 (Madras), 1963 (Colombo), 1964 (Andhra Pradesh), 1967 (Colombo), and 1970 (Colombo). The final edition in 1970, played at the Sugathadasa Stadium, saw Ceylon emerge as unbeaten champions, marking one of the national team's earliest major international achievements.

In 1963, Ceylon participated in the 1964 Summer Olympics qualifiers, losing against India in the home and away fixtures. The next year, the team played against the touring East Germany team, recording a 1–12 defeat. The same year, the team also played two tests against touring Indonesia.

On 28 February 1965, Ceylon secured their first international victory on home soil, defeating Pakistan 3–1 in a friendly at the Sugathadasa Stadium. The second friendly match was tied 0–0. The same year, the team toured Indonesia, and also played against German side 1. FC Nürnberg in home venue. In 1967, the team also played against touring American side Dallas Tornado, and Soviet team FK Žalgiris.

In 1966, Ceylon played two friendly matches against touring Burma, losing 0–3 and 1–3.

Ceylon participated in the 1968 Summer Olympics qualifiers, losing against Israel in both home and away fixtures. Later on, the team embarked on a tour in Israel and Germany, playing against local sides including clubs from Palenberg, Essen and Hamburg.

1970s

In 1971, the team participated in the 1972 AFC Asian Cup qualification, losing all matches against Iraq, Jordan and Bahrain. The next year, the team again failed to advance at the 1972 Summer Olympics Qualifiers, losing all matches. Later on, the team also participated in the 1972 Jakarta Anniversary Tournament and the 1972 Merdeka Tournament. The same year, the team also played friendlies against Singapore in away venue and China in home. Soviet club Dinamo Tbilisi, who toured Ceylon also played test matches against the Ceylon national side.

In 1979, Sri Lanka featured in the 1980 AFC Asian Cup qualification, 1979 President's Cup Football Tournament and the 1979 King's Cup in Thailand. The team also played against Swedish club Kronängs IF; the tour was organised by Kronängs player Norman Alfonso, a former player of Saunders club of Sri Lanka.

1980s

At the 1980 Summer Olympics Qualifiers, Sri Lanka failed to advance after losing against Singapore, North Korea, India, China and Iran.

In 1983, the team played friendlies against Maldives and Singapore. In 1984, after playing a friendly against the touring Maldives, the team participated in the 1984 AFC Asian Cup qualification. Sri Lanka participated in the 1986 Quaid-e-Azam International Tournament held in Islamabad, ending in the fourth position.

At the 1989 South Asian Games, the team failed to advance past the group stage.

Regional success (1990s)

The team participated at the 1991 South Asian Games, again ending unsuccessful.

In 1993, Sri Lanka participated for the first time at the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification, losing all the matches. The same year, the team participated in the 1993 SAARC Gold Cup and the 1993 South Asian Games, achieving bronze, after defeating Maldives by 3–1 in the third place match.

In 1995, Sri Lanka made history winning the 1995 SAARC Gold Cup, after defeating India in the final by 1–0. At the 1995 South Asian Games, the team achieved bronze, after defeating Nepal in the penalty shootout after a goalless draw. The team also played at the Burma Tournament 1995.

In 1996, the team ended unsuccessful at the 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification and the FIFA World Cup qualification.

At the 1997 SAFF Gold Cup, Sri Lanka was ousted in the semifinal after losing against eventual finalists Maldives. The next year the team played at the Bristol Freedom Cup organised by the Sri Lanka Football Federation. The team eventually lost in the final against India B.

In 1999, Sri Lanka participated in the 1999 SAFF Gold Cup, 1999 South Asian Games and the 2000 AFC Asian Cup qualification.