Gateway retain U-20 International Schools’ football crown
View(s):
(Seated from left): Rafaah Suhail (Coach), James Heath (Head Coach), Samunu Kaggodaarachchi (Captain), Thilaka Jinadasa (Team Leader - Sports Development), Isa Fahim (Vice Captain), Rohana Perera (Deputy Head of School), Jayanthi Somasekaram (Head of Sports), Ayesh Alwis (Coach) (1st row from left): Zaki Ashraff, Luqmaan Shafraz, Dunitha Karunadasa, Nadal Senapala, Aqheel Anas, Inaz Shafeek, Sayuru Kalhan, Dirk Ferdinandus, Brian Herath (2nd row from left): Anuk Dassanayake, Thaj Riza, Aidan Perera, Thevindu Jayakody, Zamil Moulana, Umar Shakil, Inas Iqbal, Hamzah Fahim, Mandil Nanayakkara
Gateway College, Colombo retained their crown as football champions with another dominant display in this year’s Under-20 Inter-International Schools Football Tournament held at the Gateway College ground in Ratmalana.
Gateway cruised through the group stage beating Asian International school 17-0 and Elizabeth Moir 5-1. In the quarter-finals they defeated Lyceum Wattlala 4-1 before knocking 8 goals past Royal Institute in the semi-finals. In a tough final against Alethea International, Gateway put on a brilliant display to overpower their opponents 5-1, with two goals each from striker Umar Shakil, captain Samunu Kaggodaarachchi and one from centre back Inas Iqbal.
Gateway’s well organised midfield and frontline was in devastating form throughout the tournament scoring 39 goals in total. Some excellent movement and finishing saw Gateway striker Umar Shakil top score in the tournament with 14 goals, whilst the whole Gateway midfield chipped in, with Samunu Kaggodaarachchi contributing seven goals, six from Isa Fahim, four from Aqheel Anas and three from Brian Herath. Gateway’s defence was also extremely well organised and tough to break down and only conceded three goals throughout the entire tournament.
The Gateway players swept the awards with Umar Shakil being adjudged Player of the Tournament, as well as winning the Golden Boot with his 14 goals. Gateway’s star midfielder, and current Under-19 national player, Samunu Kaggodaarachchi was adjudged Player of the Final and Anuk Dassanayake won Best Goalkeeper award in his debut season.
Gateway’s continued rise and dominance in schools football not only saw them pick up their sixth international schools championship in the last seven years, but also saw them reach the last eight of this year’s Papare All-Island Division I Tournament. Gateway College Colombo is currently the first and only international school playing All-Island Division I.
