Solid Defence and Good Distribution Pays Off

Only two men’s games and one women’s fixture were played in the Hong Kong Hockey Association Men’s and Women’s Premier Leagues last weekend.
Solid Defence and Good Distribution Pays Off
Another slips past ... Tony Cheung Goalkeeper of the Elite-A hockey team made some valiant saves in their HKHA Premier League match against Valley-A on Sunday Oct 21. Despite his best efforts, the weight of numerous shots at goal was too great to overcome, with Valley winning 4:1. (Bill Cox/The Epoch Times)
10/24/2012
Updated:
10/1/2015
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Only two men’s games and one women’s fixture were played in the Hong Kong Hockey Association Men’s and Women’s Premier Leagues last weekend because of the Chung Yeung Festival (to respect old people) on Tuesday Oct 23.

Men’s

Both of the men’s matches—Elite-A against Valley-A and KCC-A against Shaheen at Kings Park last Sunday Oct 21—were exciting matches played in good spirit and with full respect for umpiring decisions.

First on at Kings Park was the Elite-A against Valley-A match. Valley-A got their first goal after 20 minutes, but Elite forced a penalty corner and converted this after some play in the D. Valley-A added a second three minutes from the end of the first half to make it two goals to one to Valley-A at half time.

In the second half, Valley-A pushed straight from the whistle and scored in the first minute of the half and added a fourth goal later in the game with 18 minutes of the game remaining. Valley-A always dominated in this game and Elite-A goalkeeper Tony Cheung played exceptionally well to keep the score down to four. Valley-A won the game 4:1.

The KCC-A match against Shaheen-A was more even and very competitive throughout the game, with both teams forcing their way into the goal areas. Shaheen got on the score sheet first through a Penalty Flick, due to a goal-stopping infringement in the striking area. KCC-A equalised when the Shaheen goalie miss-kicked a KCC strike and the ball rolled under his foot for a goal. The score was 1:1 at half time.

After 15 minutes of the second half, Shaheen notched up their second goal following a free hit just outside the D and added a third goal from a penalty corner. Shaheen-A made the final score four goals to one from a penalty corner with seven minutes of the game remaining. The exciting match was well-contested, with good passing, thoughtful strategy and good ball control. Shaheen-A defended a little better than KCC-A, distributed some good passes, turning defence into attack and also were more successful on the short corners.

In both matches, good solid defence and fast accurate distribution of the ball was key to winning the games.

Women’s

The only women’s game played last weekend was HKFC-B against HKFC-A at the Football Club ground. In another well-contested match, the B’s were not so outclassed as they have been in previous years.

The strengthening to B’s squad showed – particularly in defence and in the mid-field area. Although the B’s did not get within striking distance of A’s goal very often, they were by no means outclassed and held their ground resolutely. The score was still 0:0 with only nine minutes of the game remaining when the A’s scored their first goal, then their second just a minute later to secure the 2:0 win.

In the midweek game between WS Orchid and Shaheen-A, played at the Valley Ground, on Thursday Oct 18, Shaheen-A had a comfortable 7:0 win.

Next week: There is a full set of fixtures this weekend.