Aidan Perera scored & assisted twice each as Gateway College defeated Stafford International School 5-0 in the final of the International Schools U20 Football Championship at the Gateway College Grounds in Rathmalana.
In the group stage Gateway Colombo defeated CIS Colombo 6-0 & Lyceum International School Wattala 4-0 while Stafford International School beat Lyceum Nugegoda 4-1 but lost to Elizabeth Moir School 0-1.
However, Stafford recorded a close 2-1 win against The British School in Colombo and Gateway Colombo had a comfortable 2-0 win against Royal Institute. In the semi finals Gateway Colombo thrashed Gateway Kandy 7-0 while Stafford came out on top in a thrilling game which ended 3-2 against Wycherley International School.
Gateway dominated play but missed two big chances inside the first 10 minutes. They went on to squander multiple more with Rehan Jayesingha being the main culprit. He missed twice from point blank range while Aidan Perera sent the ball over the crossbar on a couple of occasions.
Kresten Lowe and captain Nidurshan Mohan were brilliant at the back for Stafford, frustrating the hosts Gateway. However, with just a minute left in the 1st half Jayesingha redeemed himself with the opening goal after Perera chested down a Ahamed Hijaazy cross into the box.
Half Time: Gateway College, Colombo 1 – 0 Stafford International School
Stafford had an early opportunity in the 2nd half before Gateway quickly regained their dominance. Gateway scored twice within 2 minutes to make it 3-0. Humaid Irshard scored with a first-time finish following an assist from Perera before Perera got himself on the score sheet with a wonderful side-footed finish in the 60th minute.
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An own-goal by Abdurrahman Aslam in the 74th minute made it 4-0 and Perera scored his 2nd from the spot two minutes later.
Wycherley International won the 3rd place encounter defeating gateway College Kandy 3-2.
Full Time: Gateway College, Colombo 5 – 0 Stafford International School
Individual Awards
- Player of the Final– Zaki Ashraff
- Golden Boot– Aidan Perera
- Golden Glove– Anuk Dassanayake
- Player of the Tournament– Ahmed Hijaaz
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