U-19 Football: St. Joseph's win All-Island Chamcpionship after 21 years

St. Joseph’s College produced some great footballers in the past and lived up to expectations in the present, when Mayuraka Perera led the Josephians to win the All Island Under-19 Division 1 Championship in a thrilling match, beating Holy Cross College, Kalutara 2 goals to 1 in the final played at the Moragasmulla Football Stadium in Rajagiriya. 

The greatness of this victory is that they won this title after 21 years. 

In the final, with Asela Madushan netting one in the 17th minute and Amila Dhananjaya sealing the game with an ace in the 64th minute saw that the Josephians conquer the school’s football title for the year 2016. 

The brilliant Asela Madushan was the adjudged the Player of the Match and the ever so dependable Rasanjana Anuruddha won the Goalkeeper award. 

Sachintha Maduranga with nine goals and Asela Madushan with seven goals topped the scoring for the Joes in the tournament. 

On their way to the final they beat St. Sebastian’s College Katuneriya 4-1, St. Benedict’s College 2-1, Kingswood College 2-0l, Wickramabahu MV Gampola 7-1, Isipathana College 6-0 but lost to Maris Stella College 1-2 and finished second in the league. 

St. Joseph’s College last won the All Island Championship under Sritharan Peiris in the year 1995. 

The Josephian footballers of 2016 has won two All Island Championship titles organized in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Football Federation and the School’s Football Association,with their Under-15’s clinching the trophy under Lushane de Silva and now the Under-19’s following suit making it a historic partnership in football for the school.

St. Joseph's beat Hameed Al-Hussenie College 4-3 on penalties while Holy Cross defeated Maris Stella College Negombo by 2-1 in the semi-finals to reach the final of the competition. 

The tournament was organised and conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools’ Football Association.