The Sri Lankan Women’s Hockey team, who are currently in Thailand for the 4th Asia Hockey Federation Cup, destroyed the Indonesian team, scoring a record 19 goals to take the lead in their respective group in the tournament.
The Sri Lankan team left the Indonesian team in disarray as the forwards and the midfielders staged a collective effort to take the team to victory. Midfielder Chathurika Wijesooriya slotted a total of nine goals in the encounter that included five penalty corners, three field goals and a penalty.
Coming in support was Imesha Weerabahu who contributed five goals while Nayana Jayaneththi fired in a hat-trick of goals in Sri Lanka’s 19 goal total. Ghethika Gangedura and Chathurika Panawala scored a goal each to complete the annihilation over Indonesia as the Lankans were adjudged undisputed winners.
Photo Courtesy: Asian Hockey Federation
Sri Lanka started their 2016 Federation cup campaign with Uzbekistan on the 1st of October and a hat-trick of goals by Chathurika Wijesooriya saw the Lankans sailing towards their first win of the competition. In reply, Uzbekistan scored a single goal. The final score read 3-1.
A total of 10 nations will be participating at the 10th Asian Hockey Federation Cup and Sri Lanka is drawn alongside Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei & Thailand. Sri Lanka lead the points table with six points with two wins while defending champions Chinese Taipei and Thailand are in second and third places with three points each.
The Sri Lankan team are expected to play hosts Thailand today at 1900h (Thailand time) followed by heavyweights Chinese Taipei tomorrow (6th) at 1700h (Thailand time). Based on the group finish, the top two countries will progress forward to the semi-finals.
The Sri Lanka team initially was barred from participating due to a mishap between the now defunct National Hockey Federation and the Ministry of Sports but with the problems being resolved just before the departure date, the Sri Lanka Women’s team was permitted to travel.
