Gateway wins Football title for third successive year
View(s):Gateway College, Colombo, once again proved too strong against their International School opponents by retaining the Under-16 Inter-International Schools’ Football Championship for the third successive running. The tournament, hosted by Elizabeth Moir School, was played at the Shalika ground in Narahenpita.
Samunu Kaggodaarachchi, the Player of the Tournament
Gateway Colombo kicked off the group stage with two commanding victories beating both Alethea International School and Lyceum International, Rathnapura with identical margins of 7-0. On course to the final, Gateway defeated a strong team from Gateway Kandy in the quarter-finals and Lyceum Panadura in the semi-final.
In a repeat of last year’s final, Gateway fought a tough match against Lyceum International School, Nugegoda eventually winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout. The match ended 2-2 at full time, with two exceptional goals from Thaqi Riza and Samunu Kaggodaarachchi. Samunu scored the goal of the tournament by curling one into the top corner from outside the box.
Riza top scored for Gateway, netting seven goals throughout the tournament whilst captain Samunu Kaggodaarachchi was awarded the Player of the Tournament for his commanding and destructive performance in the midfield.This outstanding result comes on the back of becoming Colombo District Champions and All-Island runners-up earlier this year, the first International School to reach the finals of an All-Island tournament, and the first ever to win the Colombo District against some of the best national schools in the country.