The 2017 U18 Division I Schools’ Football Championship organized by the Sri Lanka Schools’ Football Association will start with defending champions St.Joseph’s College taking on St.Benedict’s College on the 4th of September at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
St. Joseph’s ends 21 year drought from outside the box
A flawless display in the second half saw St. Joseph’s College beating Holy Cross 2-1 courtesy ..
St.Joseph’s College ended a 21 year hoodoo to clinch the championship defeating Holy Cross College 2-1 in a pulsating and an emotion packed final last year. Maris Stella College secured 3rd place defeating Hameed Al Husseinie College 1-0.
This time around St.Joseph’s College will begin their championship defence with a trophy match. It will be for the Rev.Fr.Peter Pillai Memorial Trophy with the kick-off scheduled at 4.00pm.
The U18 Division I Schools’ Football Championship will comprise of 14 teams divided into 2 groups of 7. From last year Isipathana College and Ananda College were relegated to division II while Kinniya Central College, Trincomalee and St.Patrick’s College, Jaffna were promoted to division I. Kinniya Central College defeated St.Patrick’s College 1-0 in the 2016 division II final. De Mazenod College were placed 3rd.
Group A will consist of St.Joseph’s College, Maris Stella College, Kingswood College, Wickramabahu College, St.Sebastian’s College, St.Benedict’s College & Kinniya Central College.
Group B will have Hameed Al Husseinie College, Holy Cross College, Zahira College, Royal College, St.Peter’s College, Lumbini College & St.Patrick’s College.
The group stage will be on league basis where each team must play with the rest of the six teams. Unlike last time, where only the top two from each group went into the semi-final, this time the top four from the two groups will go into the quarter final stage.
