St. Joseph’s are the Papare Under-20 Football champs
View(s):St. Joseph’s College, Colombo defeated Hameed Al Husseinie College in the final of the ‘The Papare under 20 All Island Football tournament’, to emerge champions in the senior category for the third consecutive year. It is a truly stupendous achievement considering the competition from other renowned schools in football like Zahira College, Colombo, Maris Stella, Negombo, De Mazenod, Kandana, St. Patrick’s, Jaffna etc in the last 3 years. Following the seniors, the junior Josephians the Samaposha All Island Under 14 Football Championship for the last two years and thus St. Joseph’s College could be rightfully called the King of Schools Football at the present moment.
St. Joseph’s made a slow start in the tournament as they finished second in the group with a win and three draws. Once they reached the knock out stages they showed their mettle as they came from behind to beat archrivals St. Peter’s College 2-1 in the quarter finals and Maris Stella College, Negombo 2-1 in the semifinals. Hameed Al Husseinie finished second in their group with two wins and a loss. In the quarter finals Hameedians beat Zahira College, Gampola 2-1 and in the semifinals they upset last year’s runners up St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna 1-0.
In a thrilling encounter played in front of a packed stadium it was the Josephians who started brightly as the hero of the semifinal victory Chalana Pramantha tested Hameedia keeper, Mohamed Safrin with a shot from inside the penalty box. As the game progressed Hameedia got into the game and created few chances but the Josephian goal keeper Marshal Kodikara was equal to it and made couple of stunning saves to maintain parity at half time. In the second half it was the Josephians who took the attack to Hameedians and were duly rewarded with a well taken goal by Chamath Rashmitha. As the Joes looked to defend their lead, Hameedia started to dominate the match and managed to equalize through a penalty converted by Tuan Nadheer. Even though both teams had chances to win, the thrilling match ended 1-1 at full time and in the ensuing penalty shootout St. Joseph’s triumphed 6-5.
St. Joseph’s were deserving champions as they finished the whole tournament unbeaten. Even though they missed the services of star striker and National cap Asela Madushan for most of the tournament due to injury The seniors Chamath Rashmitha, Nimesh Cooray, Jason Fernando, Sayura Bimsara and Prabod Madushanka guided the team with their experience. Last year’s freshers Chalana Pramantha, Thishan Fernando, Sachith Sathsara, Jas Renuja and Nimantha Madushan stepped up big time and made major contributions to this year’s success. Equally the stars of the Under 18 team Shenal Sandesh, Kaviendya Rupasinghe and Sachinthaka Perera performed brilliantly whenever they were called into action. The team was led superbly by captain Marshal Kodikara and he was well supported by vice-captain Novin George.
This is the fourth win for St. Joseph’s College in the present competition format after winning in 1995 under the captaincy of Sritharan Peeris, in 2016 under the captaincy of Mayuraka Perera and in 2017 under the captaincy of Jason Fernando. The last few years have been a golden period for Josephian soccer as they have won the Samaposha All Island Under 14 football tournament for the last couple of years as well.
Award winners
- ThePapare Player of the Match: Marshall Kodikara (St. Joseph’s College)
- Golden Glove for Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Mohamed Safrin (Hameed Al Husseinie College)
- Golden Boot for Top Scorer of the Tournament: Nisal Tharinda Silva (Maris Stella College)
- Golden Ball for Best Player of the Tournament: Chamath Rashmitha (St. Joseph’s College)