In the first ever meeting between Sri Lanka and Zambia, Zambia’s Chipolopolo ran out 70-36 winners on Day 9 at Netball Central, as they celebrated their second win of the Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015.
Zambia will now head into the playoff for 13th place against Barbados while Sri Lanka is still looking for their first win of the competition and will meet Singapore tomorrow to vie for 15th position.
Acting Sri Lankan captain, Gayani Dissanayke, who continues to be a shining light for her side confirmed it is their goal to beat Singapore.
“. . . we planned first to beat Singapore, that’s our target so I think this is good chance for us to play with Singapore again so I think we have to play very hard in tomorrow’s game, I think we can beat them.”
Sri Lanka’s Hasitha Mendis started the match at goal attack for injured captain Semini Alwis who suffered a heavy fall during their loss to Barbados in yesterday’s Qualification Round Match. The 15cm height advantage of Sri Lanka’s shooter, Thishala Algama, made her a strong target for the side, shooting an impressive 94% for the match, but the connection between the Zambian shooters Lucy Jere and Elizabeth Bwalya was impressive, as was their shooting percentage, ending the quarter on 100%, with Zambia leading the tight contest 17-13 at quarter time.
Zambia’s Margaret Mutafela, the oldest player in the competition at 45, was substituted in for the injured Agness Chingambo, as the Chipolopolo skipped out to an early lead thanks to wing attack, Carol Moono, driving strongly onto the circle and providing 10 goal assists for the half. Two stunning intercepts by Zambia’s Yvonne Kaholo increased the momentum for their side, leading 33-22 at half time.
Sri-Lanka opted to mix-up on their combinations at the start of the second half, injecting Chathurangi Jayasooriya at goal defence and changing acting captain, Gayani Dissanayke, into keeper. Zambia brought on Joyce Mwanza into wing attack, Naomi Changwe to centre, and Diana Banda at goal attack. Both the Chipolopolo defenders Mutafela and Kaholo provided classy intercepts for their side as Zambia was able to capitalise on Sri-Lanka’s 22 turnovers at the end of the third quarter and lead 53-30.
Darshika Abeywickrama was brought into the game at wing defence for Sri-Lanka as Zambia continued to pile on the pressure with a 17-6 final term and run out winners 70-36.
Zambia’s Elizabeth Bwalya confirmed her side is eager to improve their rankings when they go up against Barbados tomorrow “We’ll play our game, as far as I’m concerned we don’t have to panic, we don’t have to rush we just have to keep the tempo, keep it cool, play our game . . . we shouldn’t make silly mistakes and we’ll be there, we’ll play our game.”
