St. Joseph’s College, Colombo defeated Hameed Al Husseinie College in the final of the ‘ThePapare Under 20 All Island Football tournament’, thereby winning the championship in the senior category for the third consecutive year. It is a truly stupendous achievement considering the competition from other renowned schools in football like Zahira College, Colombo, Maris Stella, Negombo, De Mazenod, Kandana, St. Patrick’s, Jaffna etc in the last 3 years.
The tournament was organized by the Sri Lanka Schools Football Association is recognized as the premier football tournament for schools even though there are so many invitational tournaments organized all over the country. Like the senior team, the junior Josephian team has won the Samaposha All Island Under 14 Football Championship for the last 2 years and thus St. Joseph’s College could be rightfully called the King of Schools Football at the present moment.
St. Joseph’s made a slow start as they finished second in the group with a win and 3 draws. Once they reached the knock out stages they showed their mettle as they came from behind to beat archrivals St. Peter’s College 2-1 in the quarterfinals and Maris Stella College, Negombo 2-1 in the semifinals. Likewise Hameed Al Husseinie finished second in their group with 2 wins and a loss. In the quarter finals Hameedians beat Zahira College, Gampola 2-1 and
in the semifinals they upset last year’s runner up St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna 1-0.
In a thrilling encounter played in front of a packed stadium it was the Josephians who started brightly as the hero of the semifinal victory Chalana Pramantha tested Hameedia keeper, Mohamed Safrin with a shot from inside the penalty box. As the game progressed Hameedia got into the game and created few chances but the Josephian goal keeper Marshal Kodikara was equal to it and made couple of stunning saves to maintain parity at half time.
In the second half it was the Josephians who took the attack to Hameedians and were duly rewarded with a well taken
goal by Chamath Rashmitha. As the Joes looked to defend their lead, Hameedia started to dominate the match and managed to equalize through a penalty converted by Tuan Nadheer.
Even though both teams had chances to win, the thrilling match ended 1-1 at full time and in the ensuing penalty shootout St. Joseph’s triumphed 6-5.
Even though they missed the services of star striker and National cap Asela Madushan for most of the tournament due to injury the seniors Chamath Rashmitha, Nimesh Cooray, Jason Fernando, Sayura Bimsara and Prabod Madushanka guided the team with their experience. Last year’s freshers Chalana Pramantha, Thishan Fernando, Sachith Sathsara, Jas Renuja and Nimantha Madushan stepped up big time and made major contributions to this year’s success. Equally the stars of the Under 18 team Shenal Sandesh, Kaviendya Rupasinghe and Sachinthaka Perera performed brilliantly whenever they were called into action. The team was led superbly by captain Marshal Kodikara and he was well supported by vice-captain Novin George.
St. Joseph’s were deserving champions as they finished the whole tournament unbeaten.
The team was led superbly by captain Marshal Kodikara and he was well supported by vice-captain Novin George.
Special awards -
ThePapare Player of the Match – Marshall Kodikara (St. Joseph’s College)
Golden Glove for best goalkeeper of the tournament – Mohamed Safrin (Hameed Al Husseinie College)
Golden Boot for top scorer of the tournament – Nisal Tharinda Silva (Maris Stella College)
Golden Ball for best player of the tournament – Chamath Rashmitha (St. Joseph’s College)
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