Defending champions St. Joseph’s College will take on Royal College in the All Island Schools Under 18 Division One football final for the Renown President’s trophy at the Sugathadasa Stadium today with kick-off at 3.30 p.m.
St. Joseph’s have been dominating the schools’ football arena in the senior and junior section for the last few years having won the All Island Under 18 Division One tournament for the past two years and recently won the Papare All Island Under 20 Championship. In the Junior category they have won the Samaposha All Island Under 14 tournament for the past couple of years as well.
St. Joseph’s finished second in their group beating De Mazenod College 4-2, Kingswood College, Kandy 8-1, Royal College 6-3, Holy Cross, Kalutara 3-0, Maris Stella College 2-1 and lost to Zahira College 1-0. In the quarter final the Joes beat Al Aqsa College, Kinniya 4-2 and in the semi final thrashed Kinniya Central 4-0 to reach their third consecutive final. The Joes are the leading scorers in the tournament with 32. The team is coached by AFC “B” License holder Anura Sampath.
Royal College had been performing admirably in the last few seasons but to reach this year’s final was a great achievement considering that they finished only third in their group. In the group they lost to St. Joseph’s 3-6, lost to Zahira 1-0, drew with Maris Stella 2-2 and won the last three beating Kalutara Holy Cross 1-0, Kingswood 1-0 and De Mazenod 2-1 to qualify for the final round.
They beat football powerhouse St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna in the quarter final and Zahira College in the semi final. Both matches ended 1-1 in regular time with Royal winning the ensuing penalty shoot-outs. The team is coached by AFC “B” License holder Mohamed Roomy.