Report from Singapore Hockey Federation

Superior China Overcome Gutsy Sri Lanka for First Placing in HWL

Sri Lanka and China produced a thoroughly exhilarating match that left the audiences at the edge of their seats and was well worthy of it being the finals of the 2016 Hockey World League Round 1.

No one could have scripted the finals better as Sri Lanka made a sensational comeback from two goals behind to grab a 3-2 lead but was ultimately foiled by China who immediately equalized before clinching the win through a shootout.

The game enjoyed a fiery start which was played at a quick pace and high intensity with both sides showing off deft skills that brought out “Oohs and Ahhs” from the Sengkang crowd.

China were clearly the favourites heading into this tie as they came into the match with an average winning score of 7-0. Surprisingly, the first chance fell to Sri Lanka as Panthie Lahiru almost provided his team with a shock lead in the 3rd minute.

After a series of intricate passes between the Sri Lankans, Panthie found himself with acres of space to conjure up a shot but his shot was inches wide of the mark.

China’s first clear-cut opportunity came in the 9th minute as Meng Dihao made a surging run down the right before driving across a low cross for his teammates. Regrettably, none of his teammates were able to make decent contact with the ball.

Rathnayaka Anuradha then earned Sri Lanka their first penalty corner in the 21st minute by brilliantly controlling a drag flick and dribbled towards the Chinese defenders.  

The Chinese took the lead through a penalty stroke in the 24th minute after a Sri Lankan player was deemed to have obstructed a clear shot at goal during the previous penalty corner. China captain Meng Lei calmly converted the penalty stroke by blasting it through the roof of the net.

After the break, China made the perfect start to the second half when Huang Jingcheng scored through a penalty corner in the 38th minute.

In the early stages of the second half, the Sri Lankan seemed to be done and dusted with China seizing control of the game by pinning Sri Lanka in their own half.

However, such notions were soon dispelled when a well-placed driven pass found Sudusingha Sandaruwan at the edge of the D. While the ensuing shot were inches of the mark it was a definite sign of things to come.

Sudusingha made no mistake when another chance presented itself in the 48th minute. A loose ball fell onto the path of Sudusingha who duly smashes it to the top left hand corner to the roaring approval of the crowd.

The momentum was firmly on Sri Lanka’s side as they threw themselves forward in search of the equalizing goal.

The Sri Lankan did not have to wait for a long. A quick break fell to Mahara Damith on the left who dispatched a scorching shot past the keeper in the 55th minute.

While the Chinese were still in a state of shock, Sri Lanka seized the initiative to complete the comeback in the 59th minute. Lakshan Nanayakkara executed a perfect deflected shot by meeting a long ball from outside the area to give Sri Lanka an astonishing 3-2 lead.

However, Sri Lanka’s joy was short-lived as China leveled the score the very next minute with Wang Dihao coolly converting a penalty corner.

Although China eventually overcame Sri Lanka in the shootout (4-2), Sri Lanka clearly drew the largest cheers at Sengkang Stadium on Sunday with a gutsy and determined display.