By Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Jakartha
Sri Lanka Hockey team created history when they won two consecutive group matches at the Asian Games now underway at GBK Hockey arena. Sri Lanka beat a fancied Hong Kong on the other day and then beat host Indonesia 3/1 amidst a huge crowd support to the home team. Sri Lanka will now meet the tournament favourits India on Tuesday at the same venue.
Coming a fresh and full of confidence after beating Hong Kong, Sri Lanka stickers started to score early in the match against the home side in the 24th minute by Sandaruwan Sudusinghe. Subsequently Dhammika Prabath Ranasinghe came up herioc performances to score a double in 42nd and 54th minute to seal victory against a solitary goal by Indonesia..
Anuruddha Bandara, the coach of the Sri Lankan Hockey team said that this was the first time in the history of Asian Games that Sri Lanka was able to win two consecutive matches in the group stage. “I am not too sure of a medal opportunity but we have already progressed with our rankings from 10th to 8th.” said a happy Bandara.
Meanwhile Sri Lankan boxers showed disappointment at the Asian Games in JiExpo Stadium in Jakartha when all of them were out in the preliminary round. Medal hope and experienced Sri Lankan boxer Anusha Kodituwakku too lost her bout fighting to Japan’s Madoka Wada. “I feel bad to return home without a medal” said Kodithuwakku, who won a bronze at Commonwealth Games in April.
Coach Manju Wanniarachchi said not only Anusha but also Ishan Bandara lost to Yuttapong Tongdee of Thailand with the Referee stopping contest with 02 Knock Downs.
In Karate, Akihiro Lokukaluge with a Japanese origin performed well to advanced to the quarter finals but was beaten by Dida Amirali from Kazakasthan in the 67 weight class . Prasanga Weerakoon who fought in the 60kg category beat Afganistanian counterpart but then lost to Malaysian player with a hard fought game. Tharika Samanmali from Army was beaten by Japan player in the 61 kg event.
Sri Lankan Badminton doubles pair Sachin Dias and Buwanaka Gunathilaka beat their chinese counterparts to advance further in the tournament.
Meanwhile in Athletics, Sri Lankans performed badly with Bandara finishing seventh in the 400m event.
The important 8oom both men and women are scheduled for Monday (27).
However the Asian fastest runner Bing Tian Su from China with a 9.92 seconds made a new games record while Edi Diong Odiong from Baharen was the Asian fastest women with 11.30 seconds.
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