Tentative kick-off for CIS

Colombo International School (CIS) got their title defense of the Dialog U19 International Schools Football Championship off to a shaky start, as they were held to a scoreless draw by British School, during their game at Henry Pedris grounds.

British School, who claimed the title in 2010, refused to budge against their evenly-matched opponents, and both teams remained locked in a de- fensive battle of both skill and will throughout the match’s 90 minutes.

The boys from British School then went on to offer further evidence that they are a force to be reckoned with in their fixture against Leighton Park International, which yielded a 10-0 demolition.

Meanwhile, tournament organizers Royal Institute got their campaign off to the best possible start with two strong wins, against Gateway College, Colombo and Asian In- ternational School.

Their 1-0 victory over Gateway began as a cagey affair with neither team willing to overly commit themselves on offence. In the second half though, Royal Institute were able to establish control of the game and execute their offense more effectively, resulting in Nishamed Afamed slotting in the game’s solitary goal in the 54th minute.

Their encounter with Asian International School proved to be a lot less bothersome, as they promptly disposed of their opponents with a commanding 3- 0 performance, consolidating their earlier win.

In the competition’s other games, Lyceum International School, Wattala announced their intent with a convincing 2- 0 dismantling of Belvoir College, while the team from their Nugegoda branch were unable to replicate this dominance, being held 1- 1 by a much- improved Gateway College, Kandy.