Gateway clinch TISSL football title for third successive time
View(s):Gateway College, Colombo once again asserted its dominance in international schools’ football by retaining the Under-18 International Schools Football Championship for the third consecutive year. Hosted by Royal Institute, the tournament was played at the Moragasmulla Grounds from January 27 to February 15.
The Gateway U-18s were rarely troubled during the tournament, with their backline not conceding a single goal for the second consecutive year. Gateway’s dominance and control of the game stemmed from their strong midfield, which rarely lost possession and dictated the tempo, forcing opponents into their own half for most of the tournament. Much of the attacking threat came from U-17 Sri Lankan national player Ahmed Hijaazy, who was adjudged Player of the Tournament.
(First row from left): Humaidh Irshad, James Heath (Head of Football/Head Coach), Hamood Rizwan (Vice Captain), Dr. Harsha Alles (Chairman, Gateway Group), Nadal Senapala (Captain), Vinita Shenoy (Principal), Jayanthi Somasekaram de Silva (Head of Sports), Dinuka Dhananjaya (Senior Coordinator, Football) (Second row from left): Dulina Wikremasinghe, Hunan Haleem, Nikaash Govindan, Imadh Shareeq, Rehan Jayesinghe, Zaid Isthiquar, Ammar Ishan (Third row from left): Raziel Ameen, Krethik Lalithakumar, Nusraan Nazeer, Emadh Dilshard, Ihsaan Faleel, Bilal Fazal, Anuhas Fernando, Hamdhan Irshad
Gateway Colombo started the tournament strongly, emerging as group champions after defeating Gateway College, Kandy 2-0, Royal Institute 3-0, and Lyceum International School, Panadura 4-0. In the quarter-finals, they overcame the British School in Colombo 2-0 before beating Elizabeth Moir 2-0 in the semi-finals and Stafford International School 1-0 in the final. Rehan Jayasinghe was the top scorer for Gateway with six goals.
Gateway College, Colombo continues to lead the way in international schools’ football, with their Under-16, Under-18, and Under-20 teams being crowned champions for the last three years. The school has also made significant strides at the national level, with three members of its current Under-18 squad representing Sri Lanka at the Under-17 SAFF Championship 2024.