Boys Reach Under-18 Football Final

Without six of the starting eleven from the previous term’s Under-20 final, and with only one Lower 6 th student, the Under-18 Boys’ team faced a significant challenge in their Inter-International Schools’ tournament this term but surpassed all expectations by not only reaching the final but coming within a whisker of winning.

Comfortable victories in our opening matches meant we finished top of our group, with Sasaru Bandara scoring two goals against both Lyceum, Panadura and the British School. Sasaru also scored the only goal of a close quarter-final. The semi-final against Lyceum, Wattala finished goalless but some great saves by goalkeeper Kyle Wijetunge took us through to the final on penalties, having not conceded a goal in the whole tournament.

The final was against our old nemesis, Gateway. When we went 1-0 down, it would have been easy for heads to drop but the boys kept fighting and dominated possession in the second half, without managing to score. A free-kick in the final minute represented our final chance to take the match to penalties. When Leo scored in the bottom corner, the crowd erupted in celebration … only for the goal to be disallowed on a marginal call from the linesman for offside against a player who had not touched the ball.

Despite the disappointing finish, the boys can be very proud of how they played throughout the tournament. Leo Galapitage was chosen as Best Player, a rare honour for a player from the losing side. Taro Okayama also played superbly in his first tournament for the school, while Srilakshman Sri Ranga held the midfield together.

Boys’ Under-18 Inter-International Schools’ Football