Sri Lanka produced a dominant performance as they defeated Hong Kong 71-47 in the semi-final at the 13th Asian Netball Championship 2024 at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bangalore, India.
Both teams matched each other goal for goal in the early going. From 4-all Sri Lanka went on a 5-0 run courtesy brilliant interceptions from Gayani Dissanayake & Rashmi Perera, to make it 9-4. They ended the 1st quarter with another 5-0 run as the scores read 18-9.
Thishala Algama scored back to back goals to start the 2nd quarter as the lead swelled to 10-goals. Mid-way into the quarter another 5 unanswered goals took the score to 28-13. At one time Sri Lanka made it 33-14 before Hong Kong finished off the quarter scoring 7 of the last 10 goals. At half time the scores read 36-21 (18-12).
Photos – Sri Lanka Squad Preview | Asian Netball Championship 2024
The defending champions got the 3rd quarter up and running out-scoring their opponents 9-1 (45-23). The 3rd quarter score read 21-9 as Sri Lanka extended their lead to 27 (57-30).
At 61-34 Sri Lanka made three changes, bringing in Hasitha Mendis, Gayathri Kaushalya & Chalini Neesha for Rashmi Perera, Dulangi Wannithilake & Malmi Hettiarachchi. Although Hong Kong won the 4th quarter 14-17, it was still a 24-goal win for Sri Lanka.
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Thishala Algama was in prime form scoring 54/57 at 95% accuracy, while Rashmi Perera on top of her tireless efforts in attack & defense, scored 17 off 22 at 77%.
Overall, Sri Lanka shot 71 off 79 at 90% while Hong Kong also had 90% accuracy but at 47 off 52. Sri Lanka will once again face Singapore in the final, 27th October at 1pm, determined to complete their championship hat-trick.
