Gateway College’s Under-18 Girls’ Football team won The International Schools of Sri Lanka (TISSL) tournament unbeaten, defeating Elizabeth Moir School 2-1 in the final to take the championship.

The team was captained by Samanalee Perera, with KenuliAbeygunawardhane as vice-captain. Across the tournament, Gateway recorded three wins and one draw before the final. The side beat Elizabeth Moir School 3-1, The British School in Colombo 2-0 and Colombo International School 2-1, and drew with Stafford International School. The final win over Elizabeth Moir School, whom Gateway had also beaten in the group stage, completed a campaign in which the team did not lose a match.

Individual honours followed the team’s results. Thesara Jayarathna was named Best Player of the tournament, while captain Samanalee Perera received the Best Defensive Player award.

Gateway College’s Under-16 Girls’ Football team also performed well, finishing the tournament as Runner-up. The team was led by captain Thesara Jayarathne and vice-captain Tharinya Warnakulage. Warnakulage was recognised with the Best Goalkeeper award. During the tournament, Gateway beat British School of Colombo 6-0, Lyceum International School Panadura 8-0 and Colombo International School (CIS) 2-1. Having drawn with Stafford International School during the final round, they beat them 3-2 on Penalties.

Together, the two teams brought home a Championship, a Runner-up finish and four individual awards from the tournament.

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Defeats Elizabeth Moir 6–0 in the TISSL Final and overcome Royal College 3–0 to secure third place at the All-Island A Division Tournament.

Gateway College Colombo, despite missing three key players who were away on national duty, retained their crown as U20 International Schools’ Football Champions with another dominant performance in this year’s Under 20 Inter-International Schools Football Tournament.

Gateway made a strong start to the competition, defeating Royal Institute 5–0 and the British School in Colombo 8–0 in the group stages. They continued their relentless momentum with a commanding 13–0 win over CIS Colombo in the quarter-finals before holding their nerve to win on penalties against a determined Lyceum Wattala side in the semi-finals. In the final, played in challenging weather conditions, Gateway faced Elizabeth Moir in a repeat of the final two years ago. Once again, Gateway proved far superior, securing an emphatic 6–0 victory to claim the U20 international schools’ title for the ninth time in the last ten years.

Across the tournament, Gateway scored an extraordinary 32 goals in just five matches. Striker Aidan Perera led the charge with 10 goals, while midfielders Zaki Ashraff (5), Hunan Haleem (4), and both Humaidh Irshad and Rehan Jayesinghe (3 each) ensured the attack remained unstoppable. Equally impressive was Gateway’s defensive stability. Marshalled by Vice Captain Thaj Riza, the back line remained resolute throughout, not conceding a single goal. Gateway College now boasts a remarkable defensive record of conceding only one goal in U20 international schools’ football over the past three years.

Gateway’s individual brilliance was also recognised with a clean sweep of the major awards. Captain and midfield general Zaki Ashraff was named Player of the Tournament for his leadership and exceptional performances. National U17 and U19 goalkeeper Nadal Senapala deservedly received the Best Goalkeeper award, while U17 national midfielder Humaidh Irshad was declared Player of the Final for his outstanding display.

With seven consecutive U20 championships, Gateway College Colombo continues to reinforce its reputation as the leading international schools’ football team in the country. The school is also making waves in national schools’ football, having recently been crowned U16 Colombo District joint champions. In addition, Gateway proudly secured third place in the U20 All Island Division I Tournament, cementing their position among the top three footballing schools in Sri Lanka.

In the All Island competition, Gateway announced their intentions from the outset by stunning tournament favourites St. Joseph’s College with a brilliant 3–1 win at the City League Sports Complex. A brace from striker Rehan Jayesinghe and another goal from captain Zaki Ashraff set the tone for what was to come. The team then battled to a gritty 1–1 draw against St. Benedict’s College at the University of Colombo grounds, with Ashraff finding the net once more. Gateway continued to impress with a long journey to Jaffna, where they earned an admirable 2–2 draw against a spirited St. Patrick’s College, thanks to goals from Aidan Perera and the ever-reliable Ashraff. Finishing the group stage undefeated, Gateway— the only international school competing in Division I— firmly established themselves as major contenders.

In the quarter-finals, Gateway edged out Kalutara Muslim Central College 1–0 with another decisive effort from Aidan Perera, while goalkeeper Nadal Senapala was named Most Valuable Player for his heroic display. Although Gateway fell short in the semi-finals against tournament favourites Zahira College, they bounced back in spectacular fashion in the third-place playoff. Delivering their most complete performance of the tournament, Gateway defeated Royal College 3–0 at the Sugathadasa Stadium. National player Umar Shakil stole the spotlight with two goals to secure the MVP award, and Ashraff capped off his sensational tournament with another goal for his team.

After years of sustained investment in player development and coaching excellence, Gateway now stands proudly among the top footballing schools in Sri Lanka. They are also one of only a select few institutions competing in Division I across all senior age groups — Under 16, Under 18, and Under 20 — reinforcing their reputation as an emerging powerhouse in Sri Lankan schools’ football.

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