Hong Kong’s hopes of bettering their previous finish at the World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship were in jeopardy after they suffered a heavy defeat by Ireland.
The hosts were beaten 20-5 on Sunday to leave them needing to beat Japan, the world’s fifth-ranked team, in their final Pool D match on Tuesday to stand any chance of qualifying as one of the top 12 teams. They finished 12th in their only previous appearance, in Canada in 2019.
Ireland were 19th in that last edition but had already beaten Japan in this one before facing Hong Kong, only 17 hours after the home side were hammered by England.
Eloise Bolitho opened the scoring for the Hongkongers just 15 seconds into the match at Hong Kong Football Club, but the Irish responded with five goals through different scorers to turn it around.
Another five from Ireland, sandwiched between goals by Hong Kong’s Anbie Chan and Aurora Bolitho, made it 10-3 at the break.
There were seven more for the Irish before Hong Kong managed a much closer fourth quarter, with Yeung Pui-pui and Tracy Lam both scoring. It was too little, too late.
“After watching Ireland beat Japan, we knew they were a strong team,” the city’s head coach Gemini Fan Tak-kwan said. “I think they have improved massively since 2019.”
To qualify, Hong Kong must finish third in the group, which would involve beating Japan. England could lend them a hand if they defeat Japan handsomely later on Sunday and reduce the goal difference Hong Kong need to claw back.
More to follow …