Sri Lanka men’s hockey team qualifies for Asian Games 2014
Sri Lanka beat Singapore 3-2 in the consolation final to bag the bronze medal at the Asian Games Qualifying Men’s International Hockey Championship 2014 held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from March 15 to 25. Mohamed Mulafer netted two goals while Shanaka Nandalochana claimed one for Sri Lanka in the decider for the third place.
After a lapse of 36 years, Sri Lanka has qualified for Asian Games 2014 which is scheduled to be held in Korea in September. Sri Lanka national hockey team participated last in 1978 Asian Games held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Sri Lanka team led by Tusitha Ratnasiri, an Matale Old Vijayan, of Air Force lost to Oman 2-3, drew with Qatar one-all and then beat Chinese Taipei 3-2 and advanced to the semi-finals. In the semis Sri Lanka held Bangladesh to a 2-all draw at full time of play and conceded three goals in the penalty shootout to lose 3-0.
Bangladesh emerged champions by defeating Oman 6-1 in the final. The countries featured in the tournament were Sri Lanka, Oman, Qatar, Chinese Taipei from Pool ‘A’ and Bangladesh, Singapore, Hong Kong and Afghanistan from Pool ‘B’.
Sri Lanka men’s hockey team: Standing (from left): Ishara Kulatunga, Tilina Perera, Dhammika Ranasinghe, Nalaka de Silva, Kalana Madushan, Maduranga Wijesinghe, Lahiru Weerasuriya, Damith Bandara, Shanaka Nandalochana, Rajitha Kulatunga, Lakshan Nanayakkara, Prasanna Dissanayake, Harendra Dharmaratne, S. Piyalanka, Asanka Welagedara, Taranga Gunawardane. Seated (from left): Anuruddha Herath Bandara (Coach), B.G.R. Fernando (Manager), T. Ratnasiri (Captain), Rear Admiral Sarath Dissanayake (Chef de Mission), Namal Rajapaksa (MP for Hambantota), Sumith Edirisinghe (President SLHF), Mohamed Mulafer (Vice Captain), A.K. Jeyaratnam (Asst. Manager), Pulasthi Lanerolle (Asst. Coach).