Gateway College wins Football Championship

In an all Gateway final, Gateway College, Colombo beat Gateway College, Kandy to win the Under20 International Schools Football Tournament at the Federation Grounds, Badeganna. This is the third year that the Colombo school won this tournament during the last four years.

This tournament, named ‘The International Schools’ Football Under20 Championship (FUTC 2018)’, was organized jointly between Gateway College and the Football Federation of Sri Lanka. All group stage matches were played at Gateway College’s new football facility at Gateway College, Ratmalana and the knock-out stages were held at the Federation Grounds in Badeganna. Gateway College, Colombo cruised through the group stages defeating Elizabeth Moir School 5-0 and Lyceum International School,wattala 5-2. In the Quarter Finals Gateway defeated Lyceum International School, Nugegoda 5-0, and in the semi-finals they defeated the British School in Colombo 4-0.

The final which was held on October 27, saw Gateway College, Colombo beat Gateway College, Kandy. Striker Areeb Atheek scored twice as Gateway College, Colombo defeated their sister school 3-0 to claim the Under-20 Championship once again. The championship never looked in doubt as the Gateway College midfielders controlled all the games, dominating possession with some slick passing and movement together with very strong link up play, which enabled the Gateway attackers to net 22 times. Left midfielder, Binitha Chandrasena, top scored in the tournament with eight goals. Meanwhile the Gateway Goalkeeper was barely troubled as the Gateway defence, led by captain Rashane Wijewardena, was almost impossible to break through. Together with the midfield, the defence never allowed the opposition anytime with the ball,making the games one sided encounters.

Seshith Ariyawansa of Gateway College, Kandy was adjudged Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament, with two influential Gateway College, Colombo midfielders picking up the remaining awards. Areeb Niyas was awarded Most Valuable Player of the Final, and the often unstoppable Binitha Chandrasena as Player of the Tournament.

Back row (L-R): Abdullah Zahir, Herschelle De Mel, Binitha Chandrasena, Areeb Atheek, Aaqib Imthiyaz, Rafaah Suhail, Zafir Moulana, Imad Imran, Atif Frank, Umar FazeerMiddle row (L-R): Isa Fahim, Arhab Mistha, Nansika Kaggodaarachchi, Jehan Malik, Atheek Eusoof, Munir Aslam, Dwayne De Mel, Samunu KaggodaarachchiFront row (L-R): Kevin Bennett (Coordinator), James Heath (Head Coach), Major General Bandarathilake (Head of Sports), Areeb Niyas (Vice Captain), Dr. Harsha Alles (Chairman), Rashane Wijewardena (Captain), Vinita Shenoy (Principal), Rohana Perera (Deputy Principal)

Areeb Niyas–most Valuable Player of the Final Seshith Ariyawansa–best Goalkeeper of the Tournament Binitha Chandrasena – Player of the Tournament)