With one game still remaining Khalsa-A has logged enough points to claim the 2013-14 Hong Kong Hockey Association Premier Division title.
HKHA anticipated the potential season-defining outcome and the trophy was presented to Khalsa after they completed a convincing win over Punjab-A on Sunday Mar 2. The result gave them 41 points and a lead of 5-points over their two main rivals HKFC-A and Punjab-A.
Khalsa again showed their dominant form and consistency in the Premier Division with a 5-1 win over Punjab-A, the second-placed team going into this important penultimate match of the season. A loss or draw would have opened the way for HKFC-A or possibly Punjab-A to challenge for the title in the last match of the season, but Khalsa made sure this was not an option.
Khalsa manager/coach Gurcharan Singh has put together an exceptionally high quality side and raised the standard in all departments in achieving the team’s objectives—not only in play quality and game strategy, but in team spirit and steadfastness.
Gurcharan, in his typically reserved style, commented: “We will try our best for the double,” referring to the Holland Cup contested by the Premier Division teams, which will take place in April.
Meanwhile HKFC-A had another tight and difficult game against SSSC-A, but came away with a 3-2 win to move them into second place ahead of Punjab-A on goal difference.
HKFC-A will take on Khalsa-A next week and will be hoping to retain the runners-up spot, but this is likely to be a difficult task as Punjab-A has an easier match against Valley-A. Although Valley-A have been playing well in recent weeks they will need to go the extra mile if they are to take points off Punjab.
Valley-A’s match against Shaheen-A was postponed because players were away on Hong Kong duty in preparation for the Asia Games Qualifiers in Dakar, Bangladesh starting Mar 13.
Meanwhile, in the lower half of the Premier Division, HKFC-B beat Elite-A 5-2; KNS-A dropped back further behind after a 2-4 loss to KCC-A; while SSSC-B beat Pak-A 3-nil.
Final matches
The final round of Premier Division matches take place on Sunday Mar 9: KNS-A play Pak-A and Punjab-A play Valley-A at the Valley Ground (HV1); while HKFC-B play SSSC-B and Khalsa-A take on HKFC-A at the Football Club Ground.
The other two Premier Division league matches: Shaheen-A against SSSC-A and Elite-A against KCC-A will be played on Mar 30.
No date has yet been set for the postponed Valley-A vs Shaheen-A match.
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