Gateway retains U-18 International Schools’ football title
Gateway College, Colombo retained their Under-18 International Schools’ title with a dominant and commanding display of football during this year’s Under-18 international Schools’ Football Championship hosted by Royal Institute at the Moragusmulla grounds.
Captained by Zaki Ashraff, Gateway’s team performance proved too powerful for its opponents with its strong attacking line up scoring 24 goals across the tournament. Vice captain and midfielder, Brian Herath, top scored in the tournament with 10 goals, whilst striker Hunan Haleem and midfielder Ahmed Hijaazy contributed four goals and three goals respectively. The team also didn’t concede any goals during the tournament, as the midfield maintained good possession and control throughout.
Gateway made a flying start to the tournament topping the group stage after beating Lyceum Nugegoda 6-0, Gateway Kandy 5-0 and Stafford International 4-0. They overcame Lyceum Wattlala 2-0 in the quarterfinal whilst defeating Colombo International School, Colombo 2-0 in the semi-final. In a repeat of last year’s final Gateway faced Elizabeth Moir, winning with a comfortable 4-0 scoreline. Brian Herath was adjudged Player of the Tournament whilst Anuk Dassanayake was awarded Best Goalkeeper for the second year running.
The Under-14 International Schools Tournament was also held simultaneously and Gateway youngsters played well to earn the third place spot. In the group stage they drew 0-0 against Colombo International School (CIS), Colombo, whilst going on to defeat Wycherley 1-0 and Horizon College 6-0. They beat Elizabeth Moir 1-0 in the quarterfinal before losing a tightly contested semi-final to Royal Institute on penalties. In the third place playoff Gateway again faced CIS Colombo, winning the match 3-1.
Gateway football has made a successful start to the year, with their Under-20 team also recently winning the Neville De Alwis-Ralph Alles Challenge Trophy for the fifth consecutive year. The fifth encounter against S. Thomas’ College proved the closest yet with the match ending in a 2-2 draw, with Gateway winning on penalty shootouts 4-1. The encounter, which also involved Under-14, Under-16, and Alumni matches, and an Under-20 girls’ match against CIS Colombo, was held at the Racecourse ground in Colombo.