Gateway continues to dominate International Schools Football

Seated L-R: Rafaah Suhail (Coach), James Heath (Head Coach), Mandil Nanyakkara (Vice Captain), Vinita Shenoy (Principal), Umar Shakil (Captain), Thilaka Jinadasa (Team Leader- Sports Development), Jayanthi Somasekaram (Head of Sports), Asiri Weerasinghe (Coordinator)
2nd row L-R: Nusraan Nazeer, Dunitha Karunadasa, Hamood Rizwan, Thaj Riza, Kaif Shafraz, Aidan Perera, Thevindu Jayakody, Nasir Zuhry, Zaki Ashraff, Humaidh Irshad, 
3rd row L-R: Nawid Nazar, Brian Herath, Hunan Haleem, Nadal Senapala, Anuk Dassanayake, Sayuru Kalhan, Ayoob Faham, James Rajawasam

Following on from their recent U20 championship success, Gateway College Colombo also claimed the Under-18 International Schools’ Football Championship, defeating Elizabeth Moir 2-0 in the final played at the Moragusmulla Grounds.

The tournament, hosted by Royal Institute, saw Gateway top the group stages, defeating CIS Colombo 6-0, Elizabeth Moir 3-1, and Horizon International 3-0. In the knockout stages, Gateway went on to beat Lyceum Panadura 1-0 in the quarterfinals and Royal Institute 3-1 in the semis. In the final, Gateway once again faced off against Elizabeth Moir and cruised to a 2-0 victory with two goals from captain Umar Shakil.

The Gateway team was in control throughout, scoring 18 goals across the tournament. Striker Umar Shakil top scored with nine goals and was adjudged Player of the Tournament. He has now picked up this award at both the U18 and U20 schools’ tournaments. Gateway’s young goalkeeper, Anuk Dassanayake, also impressed throughout the tournament and was adjudged Best Keeper. Together with Gateway’s strong back line, he conceded only 2 goals throughout the tournament, and he also now holds the Best Keeper award in both the Under 18 and Under 20 age categories.