The Sri Lankan Men’s Hockey team defeated Thailand 2-0 in the final group stage match held yesterday at Kings Park Hockey Stadium to book their spot in the semi-finals of the tournament.
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An aggressive performance by the Sri Lankan team in the second half of the match, after the 1st half ended with both teams scoreless, saw the team topping the group winning two out of their three matches and drawing one.
It was a closely contested match in the first half with both teams not being able to make a mark. Sri Lanka drew first blood in the 57th minute of play with a strike from Ishanka Doranegala that came off a penalty corner and with a 1-0 lead the Lankans were en-route to victory.
Seconds before the final hooter it was Shamika Gunawardhana who scored the second goal for the team to finish the group stage match 2-0.
Full time: Sri Lanka 2 (Ishanka Doranegala, Shamika Gunawardhana) – Thailand 0
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With this win, Sri Lanka topped Group B and remained unbeaten. Along with Sri Lanka, it will be Singapore who gain the ticket to semi-finals from Group B. Bangladesh and Hong Kong were the two qualifying nations from Group A.
5th AHF Cup: Last minute goal deprives Sri Lanka of a win
Sri Lanka will face hosts Hong Kong in a crucial must win encounter on Saturday (26th) which will decide their fate in the 5th Asian Hockey Federation Cup.
