Bangkok (6 Oct, 2016): Ivy Chan pulled Singapore out from the jaws of defeat with a late strike to force a 1-1 draw against Pakistan in the 4th Women Asian Hockey Federation Cup in Bangkok today.
The Pakistanis were cruising steadily towards victory following a 33rd minute Afshan Noureen field goal but let slip a golden chance to claim full points after the defence crumbled under intense pressure with 40 seconds remaining to the hooter. Ivy sneaked the ball past goalkeeper Rizwana Yasmin to force this draw.
The Singaporean’s late strike fittingly depicts her as ‘Poison Ivy” –appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. In the eye of the Pakistanis, Ivy had indeed ruined their chances of finishing top of the group as they would have had two wins and a draw.
The result means Singapore top Group B with seven points and Pakistan second on five points. Both teams advance to Saturday’s semi-finals while Hong Kong ended its group stage matches by finishing third (4 points), ahead of Cambodia who is rocked at the basement with no win.
Pakistan goes into Saturday’s semi-final encounter against Group A winners Thailand (12 points) while Singapore, who finished second behind the Thais, plays defending champions Chinese Taipei.
Chinese Taipei defeated Sri Lanka 4-1; diminishing all hopes the Sri Lankans had of qualifying for the semi-finals stage with goals from Shan-Pei Liao (31st & 67th) and Yu Chia Wang (34th & 41st). Chathuri Konnasingha replied for Sri Lanka via a 70th minute penalty corner.
The Sri Lankans will face off Hong Kong in the 5-6th classification match.
In the last match of the day, Thailand went firing on all cylinders to register a 16-0 victory over Indonesia. The Thais led 8-0 at the interval.
Needing more than 13 goals against Indonesia to overtake Chinese Taipei at the top of Group A table standings for a superior goal difference, Thailand celebrated an eight-goal blitz by team captain Tikhamporn Sakunpithak and a brace from Natthakarn Aunjai.
The other goal scorers are Praphatson Khuiklang, Kanya Jantapet, Supansa Samanso, Kornkanok Sanpoung, Pornsuda Sareesuk and Ornpanee Watcharoen.
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