Gateway continue to dominate International Schools Football
View(s):
(Seated from left): Rafaah Suhail (Coach), James Heath (Head Coach), Mandil Nanyakkara (Vice Captain), Vinita Shenoy (Principal), Umar Shakil (Captain), Thilaka Jinadasa (Team Leader - Sports Development), Jayanthi Somasekaram (Head of Sports), Asiri Weerasinghe (Coordinator) (2nd row from left): Nusraan Nazeer, Dunitha Karunadasa, Hamood Rizwan, Thaj Riza, Kaif Shafraz, Aidan Perera, Thevindu Jayakody, Nasir Zuhry, Zaki Ashraff, Humaidh Irshad (3rd row from left): Nawid Nazar, Brian Herath, Hunan Haleem, Nadal Senapala, Anuk Dassanayake, Sayuru Kalhan, Ayoob Faham, James Rajawasam
Following on from their recent Under-20 championship success, Gateway College Colombo also claimed the Under-18 International Schools’ Football Championship, defeating Elizabeth Moir School by 2-0 in the final played at the Moragusmulla grounds.
The tournament, hosted by Royal Institute, saw Gateway top the group stages, defeating Colombo International School, Colombo 6-0, Elizabeth Moir 3-1 and Horizon International 3-0. In the knockout stages, Gateway went on to beat Lyceum Panadura 1-0 in the quarter-finals and Royal Institute 3-1 in the semis. In the final, Gateway once again faced off against Elizabeth Moir and cruised to a 2-0 victory with both goals coming from the boots of skipper Umar Shakil.
The Gateway team was in control throughout, scoring 18 goals across the tournament. Striker Umar Shakil top scored with nine goals and was adjudged Player of the Tournament and has now picked up this award at both the Under-18 and Under-20 schools’ tournaments. Gateway’s young goalkeeper, Anuk Dassanayake also impressed throughout the tournament, and was adjudged Best Goalkeeper. Together with Gateway’s strong back line, he conceded only two goals throughout the tournament. He also now holds the Best Keeper award in both the Under-18 and Under-20 age categories.