St. Joseph’s Champions after 21 years
The victorious St. Joseph's football team with school officials
After a lapse of 21 years, St. Joseph’s College, Maradana, rekindled past glory, when Mayuraka Perera led the Josephians to a thrilling 2-1 win against Holy Cross College, Kalutara, in the final of the All-Island Under (U)-19 Division I Football Championship played at the Moragasmulla Football Stadium in Rajagiriya.
Joes opened scoring in the 17th minute when Asela Madushan found the net. Then in the 28th minute, Holy Cross equalised through an own-goal by the Joes. However, Amila Dhananjaya sealed the game for the Joes with the winner in the 64th minute, which saw the Joes crowned 2016 Kings of School Football.
The brilliant Asela Madushan was adjudged Player of the Match while ‘Mr Reliable’, Rasanjana Anuruddha was Best Goalkeeper.
Sachintha Maduranga with 9 goals and Asela Madushan with 7 goals were the leading tournament scorers for the Joes.
On their way to the final, they beat St. Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya, 4-1, St. Benedict’s College Kotahena, 2-1, Kingswood College, Kandy, 2-0l, Wickramabahu MV, Gampola, 7-1, Isipathana College, Colombo, 6-0, but lost to Maris Stella College, Negombo, 1-2, to finish 2nd in the League.
St. Joseph’s College last won the All Island Championship under Sritharan Peiris in 1995.
This year, the Josephian Footballers have won two All Island Championships organised by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the School’s Football Association, with their U-15 side too, All-Island Champs under Lushane de Silva - SP  Â