Netball: Malaysia beat Sri Lanka to win 10th Asian Championship

Malaysia beat Sri Lanka 41-31 in the final of the 10th Asian Netball Championship which concluded in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday (7).

Sri Lanka had to finish as runners-up of the Asian Championship for the third consecutive occasion as Malaysia, the only team to beat Sri Lanka in the first round, went on to win the title with ease. 

Malaysia led 17-13 at halftime and went on to extend their lead in the remaining sessions of the final to hand Sri Lanka a disappointing end to their otherwise successful campaign. 

Defending champions Singapore finished third in the tournament beating Hong Kong.

In the semi-finals Sri Lanka beat Singapore 36-30 on Saturday (6), to reach the final, setting their hopes high to win the title after some years. 

Sri Lanka created a major upset in competition when they toppled reigning champions rather comprehensively after taking charge of the game in the first couple of sessions. 

In the other semi-final Malaysia edged out Hong Kong by a solitary point 35-34. 

Sri Lanka thrashed Brunei by 55-20 to secure a berth in the semi-final on Thursday (4) despite being handed a unexpected 32-38 defeat by Malaysia on Tuesday (3).

On Tuesday (2) Sri Lanka thrashed Japan by 67-14 after receiving a walkover from Afghanistan.