Bangkok (5 Oct, 2016): Thailand outclassed Sri Lanka 5-0 to confirm a spot in the semi-finals of the 4th Women Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Cup in Bangkok today.
The Southeast Asian nation remained unbeaten after three matches to top Group A on nine points while defending champions Chinese Taipei edged Uzbekistan 2-0 with goals from Shan-Pei Liao (26th) and Ling Pei Su (42nd) to stay in contention with Sri Lanka hot on the heels for the second spot.
Only the top two teams from Group A and Group B respectively will advance to the Oct 8 semi-finals. The final is on the following day.
Hong Kong, who played its last preliminary round match today, took advantage of an under strength Cambodia to carve victory by 12-0 to consolidate their position from Group B on four points – two behind leaders Singapore. Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka are tied on four points.
However, should the Singaporeans lose to Pakistan in Thursday’s last preliminary round match it would spell an exit for the Sri Lankans of a place in the last four.
A victory for Pakistan over Singapore would give head coach Saeed Khan’s team seven points and top the group. The Pakistanis defeated Cambodia 11-0 and drew 1-1 against Hong Kong.
Tikhamporn Sakunpithak scored a brace for Thailand against the Sri Lankans while Supansa Samanso, Kornkanok Sanpoung and Sirikwan Wongkeaw added their names on the score card.
For Hong Kong, team captain Lo I Ka knocked six goals against Cambodia; Tiffany Chan scored four with Nam Ching Chan, Evelyn Cheung and Sze Pui Lau adding the damage on the opposition with a goal each.
Sri Lanka forward Chathurika Wijesooriya is the tournament leading scorer with 12 goals.
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