Gateway College Colombo beat British School in Colombo, while Gateway College Kandy beat Royal Institute on penalties setting up a Gateway Derby Final, at the International Schools Football U20 Championship (FUTC 2018) semi-finals played at the Beddagana Football Complex.
Gateway College Kandy v Royal Institute (Semi Final 1)
The boys from Kandy came into this fixture after a 3-0 win over CIS in the quarter-final, while Royal Institute (RI) defeated Elizabeth Moir School 5-2 in their quarter final.
Kandy were gifted the opening goal when Ameen Kazni, in the 7th minute struck a decent free-kick which should have been a routine save for Royal goalkeeper Ashvin Selvakumar, but somehow, let it slip between his gloves making it 1-0 to Gateway Kandy.
This was the first time that RI had conceded a goal first in the tournament and struggled against an attacking Gateway Kandy. Late in the half Abid Hussain missed a sitter but turned provider for Mamdooh Saheer for an easy tap-in as RI equalized on the stroke of half time.
Half time – Gateway College, Kandy 1 – 1 Royal Institute
The second half saw drama early on when Gateway’s Saad Imthiyas dribbled well towards the box and was taken down by Keneth Perera as the referee pointed straight to the spot. Saad struck it quite weakly and Ashvin Selvakumar made the all-important save, making up for his first half error, as the game ended 1-1, requiring penalties to decide the winner.
Full time – Gateway College, Kandy 1 – 1 Royal Institute
Gateway took the first penalty and it was Mohamed Arafath who found the bottom corner past a flat footed Selvakumar. Arshad Nazar stepped up to take the first penalty for RI but put it well wide of the post.
Saad Imthiyas, the lad who missed the penalty in regular time stepped up and this time slotted it into the bottom corner, before Shenon Gomes stepped up for RI but missed the plot completely as he fired it over the goal. Ameen Kazni and Thashin Rahumau converted for Gateway Kandy as well, while Abid Hussain and Seiyed Arshad converted for RI, resulting in Gateway Kandy progressing to the finals winning 4-2 on penalties.
Penalty Shootout – Gateway College, Kandy 1(4) – 1(2) Royal Institute
Goal Scorers
Gateway College, Kandy – Ameen Kazni 7’
Royal Institute – Mamdooh Saheer 29’
Gateway College, Colombo v British School in Colombo (Semi Final 2)
Gateway came into this game with Binitha Chandrasena, joint top scorer of the tournament, on the bench due to an illness.
Gateway started strong dominating possession in the opening half, as they created a few chances but were unable to get the final touch. Every spell which British looked to mount an attack, Gateway won the ball back before it became threatening.
The best chance of the first half fell to Gateway’s Samunu Kaggodaarachchi as he struck the shot from inside the box, but it went just inches wide of the upright, ending the first half 0-0.
Half time – Gateway College, Colombo 0 – 0 British School in Colombo
The second half was much more action packed, as it all kicked off when Nansika Kaggodaarachchi struck a powerful shot from far outside the box which struck the bottom of the crossbar and seemed to bounce over the goal-line, as the referee took his time before awarding the goal much to the dismay of the British players and coach.
British, who had managed to hold on defensively until that goal, seemed to spiral downward as Gateway brought on their key man Binitha, who immediately made his impact. In the span of 120 seconds he scored 2 brilliant goals to increase his side’s advantage.
Jehan Malik struck the final nail into the British School’s coffin as in the last seconds of the game he struck a goal, securing a Gateway Derby for the grand finale.
Full time – Gateway College, Colombo 4 – 0 British School in Colombo
Goal Scorers
Gateway College, Colombo – Nansika Kaggodaarachchi 40’, Binitha Chandrasena 57’ & 58’, Jehan Malik 60+2’
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