Sri Lanka Men’s National Hockey team managed to beat Thailand with a 6 – 4 score margin in the 7th place classification match of Men’s AHF Cup 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Dhammike Ranasinghe gave Sri Lanka an early lead following a penalty corner (1 – 0) while Thailand counter-attacked during the dying stage of the first half (1 – 1). In the 2nd half, Sudusingha made a superb cross pass by deceiving the goalkeeper and Suresh Rathnayake made an acrobatic slap stroke in front of goal to re-established the lead (2 – 1).
Half Time Sri Lanka 2 – 1 Thailand
During the third quarter, there was a sea-saw battle between the sides and in the early minutes Thailand managed to score their second (2 – 2). Few minutes later Sri Lanka had their third as Alwis managed to deliver a dazzling drive from the far right and Sanda Sudusinghe made a remarkable slap stroke into the goal (3 – 2).
But Thailand managed to score for yet another time in the third quarter through a strong flick (3- 3). With the score in the balance Sri Lanka earned a couple of penalty corners and again Dammika Ranasinghe made a splendid flick to regain the lead (4 – 3).
In the final quarter Thailand captain cut the deficit and scored from nowhere from a long range pass by keeping spectators on the edge of their seats (4 – 4).
It was a fierce battle for glory until the final five minutes of the game and Sri Lanka managed to chip it away with back to back goals. Kusal Weerappuli was successful with a long range shot and Sri Lanka regained the lead (5 – 4). Then Udayashan Fernando scored through a magnificent reverse sweep stroke and that was the final nail in the coffin for Thailand.
Full Time Sri Lanka 6 – 4 Thailand
- Player of the match – Dammika Ranasinghe (SL)
