Hong Kong Lacrosse Open: veteran back with a bang as hosts take charge on opening day
- City’s men’s and women’s teams both dominate their matches, but warn of tougher tests to come
- Geoff Ling is top scorer on his comeback and says he reversed his retirement because he ‘just loves this sport so much’
The first day of the Hong Kong Lacrosse Open was a fruitful one for the city’s men’s team as they recorded two convincing victories.
The hosts thrashed the Hong Kong High-Performance Programme team (HKHPP) and Singapore club CrossFire 11-0 and 23-0 respectively at the Jockey Club HKFA Football Training Centre in Tseung Kwan O on Friday.
That sent Hong Kong top of the only group – the top two will contest Monday’s final – but new head coach Bob Snider is expecting something different on the second day.
“I think there will be more competition with Singapore Lacrosse Association and FOGO,” the Canadian said. Hong Kong play both sides on Saturday, the latter being a Japanese club named after the lacrosse position “face off, get off”.
“But our goal is just to play our level each and every game. We are looking to play the game as it is intended to be played, which is fast, ferocious, with intent, with speed and being a threat everywhere on the field.”
Hong Kong were almost as merciless in the women’s, winning 21-1 against Ewha of Korea and 18-4 against Chinese Taipei, putting them top of Group B in a two-pool format.