Punjab showed their class and continued improvement by winning the Hong Kong Football Club’s Sixes tournament on the weekend.
This 2-day tournament, which is in place of the Annual Easter Sixes, was entered by 24 teams, 6 in each of four categories: Men’s Open; Mixed Open; and Men’s and Ladies Super 6’s culminating in Semi-finals and Finals on Sunday afternoon (Jan 26).
Unlike last year’s Easter Sixes tournament, which was an FIH affiliated event bringing in players from Australia and Europe, this was an internal Hong Kong event only. The tournament date was moved from Easter to this earlier time in the year to fit better into the International hockey calendar.
Brenda Smith a Vice-President of the Hong Kong Hockey Association told the Epoch Times that the FIH has shown interest in this event, its timing and it is hoped that it will be an affiliated event again next year.
The Men’s Open Final was won by Hong Kong Cricket Club, who defeated Das Boot.
Fraulein Fever overcame the Owls by a golden goal in extra time to take away the Mixed Open winner’s trophy.
In the Ladies Super 6’s Hong Kong Football Club just edged out Shaheen with a 3-2 score line.
Punjab’s win
But the star match of the tournament was the Men’s Super 6’s Final between Khalsa and Punjab.
Punjab scored twice early in the game, then Khalsa got a goal back, then Punjab added another almost immediately to push their lead to 3-1. Khalsa scored just before half time to make the score 3-2.
In an action packed second half Khalsa equalised, but then Punjab scored two more to win a memorable final 6-3.
Punjab again showed their class by beating HKFC in the Sixes Semi-final.
In the other Semi-final Khalsa eliminated Singh Sabha Sports Club (SSSC) in a dramatic shoot-out after finishing all square after extra time. This was a great tussle with what seemed like an endless series of penalties before finally Khalsa got the advantage.
Punjab continue to shine
The performance by Punjab in the Sixes shows just how much they have improved over the last two years. At the beginning of the 2012-13 season they were new-comers to the HKHA Premier League, but improved to finish equal second in that year.
This season they have consolidated their position and are now recognised to be one of the top three clubs in Hong Kong, playing high class, skilful and entertaining hockey with fairness and good spirit.
Punjab are equal first in the Premiership League behind Khalsa with five games each remaining in the season – both have won 9 games and lost 2 for 29 points, with Khalsa topping the standings by a superior goal difference. Hong Kong Football Club are a point behind the pair in third.
Punjab’s defeat of Khalsa and HKFC in the Sixes adds spice to an already hotly contested Premier League season.
Next matches
There is no Premier League Hockey this coming weekend as the competition takes a break for Chinese New Year. The next matches take place on Sunday Feb 9: Shaheen-A meet HKFC-A, at HKFC; SSSC-A play Punjab-A and Valley-A play Khalsa-A, with both games at HV1.
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