It was a weekend to remember for the respective men’s and women’s international teams of Sri Lanka and Thailand, who claimed victory in the 1st Asian Challenge tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.
The inaugural tournaments – which were played between 1-8 September – are an initiative by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to give the second tier countries in Asia greater opportunity to participate in international competition against opponents of a relative standard.
Sri Lanka were winners of the men’s event, defeating Myanmar 3-1 in the tournament final. Despite trailing to an open play strike from Myanmar’s Oo Htun Htun, Sri Lanka hit back with strikes from Sandaruwan Priyalanka (pictured), Lahiru Weerasooriya and Ishanka Jayasundara to grab the glory. Thailand finished third in the competition.
Thailand produced a fine performance in the women’s final to defeat Sri Lanka 3-0, reversing the result of the pool match played between the two teams. Sakunpithak Tikhamporn, Pimsan Suratwadee and Losakul Salocha got their names on the score-sheet at Thailand claimed their first international success, banishing the memory of two final defeats in the Indoor Asia Cup in previous years. In an earlier game, Singapore defeated Pakistan 2-1 to win the bronze medal.
A selection of images from the tournament can be enjoyed on the AHF’s Facebook page by clicking here.
Source material: Asian Hockey Federation
