Triple football titles for Gateway College
Seated (from left): Jayanthi Somasekaram de Silva (Head of Sports), James Heath (Head of Football/Head Coach), Dr. Harsha Alles (Chairman, Gateway Group), Umar Shakil (Captain), Mandil Nanayakkara (Vice Captain), Vinita Shenoy (Principal), Thilaka Jinadasa (Team Leader - Sports Development) and Jony Rukshan (Coach) Second Row (from left): Nusraan Nazeer, Luqmaan Shafraz, Zaki Ashraff, Hunan Haleem, Thevindu Jayakody, Nadal Senapala, Anuk Dassanayake, Ahmed Hijaazy and Inaz Ahamed Top Row (from left): Humaidh Irshad, Hamood Rizwan, Aidan Perera, Inas Iqbal, Zamil Moulana, Nasir Zuhry, Sayuru Kalhan and Brian Herath
Gateway College established another record on their way to becoming the Under-20 International Schools’ Football champions for the fifth consecutive year when they powered their way through the tournament scoring a record breaking spree of 60 goals with captain Umar Shakil scoring 23 goals in five games. The Gateway back line also proved too strong for their opponents conceding only one goal in all games. This is the third Inter-International Championship that Gateway has won for this year as they were previously victorious in the Under-18 and Under-16 age categories.
Gateway made an explosive start to the tournament, scoring 18 goals against Colombo International School, Colombo in their opening group game. They then topped the group with a 9-0 victory over Lyceum International School, Wattala. In the third group game, Gateway received a walkover from Wycherley International School, Colombo after the opposition team abandoned the match having walked off the pitch after kick off.
In the knockout stage, the Gateway forward line was relentless in their pursuit of more goals, as they scored seven goals against Colombo International School, Kandy in their quarter-final match, which was eventually abandoned at half time due to bad weather. They then went on to defeat Gateway College, Kandy 17-0 in the semi-final before defeating Elizabeth Moir International School 6-1 in the final which was held at Gateway College ground in Ratmalana.
Gateway’s well organised midfield and front line was in excellent form throughout the tournament. For the second consecutive year, Gateway captain Umar Shakil was awarded the Golden Boot for his 23 goals. However, the Gateway midfield also contributed across the tournament with 12 goals from Brian Herath, five from Aidan Perera and four from Zaki Ashraff. Umar Shakil was further awarded Under-20 Player of the Tournament, whilst Anuk Dassanayake was once again adjudged Best Goalkeeper for the second year running. Gateway defender Zamil Moulana was adjudged the Player of the Final.
In the last eight years, this is the seventh championship this strong All-Island Division 1 team has won.