Lankan lasses take revenge

Beat Asian Champions Singapore 65-52:

Yasaratne Gamage Reporting from Singapore

Sri Lanka overcame hosts Singapore by 65-52 in the final match of the league round of the Nations Cup 2012 continued yesterday at Tao Payoh Sports Hall in Singapore.

It was more than a repeat of the finals of the Asian Netball Championship in August this year where Singapore won the title by defeating Sri Lanka by one goal but yesterday the runners up took the revenge with a margin of 13 goals.

Yesterday’s game saw a perfect blend of Sri Lankan lasses’ courage and defensive playing style and also the hunger for a win over Singapore.

Sri Lankans got off to a lightening start by scoring two goals in the first minutes and looked dominant on most of the times. They kept the scoreboard ticking and finished the first quarter with 19-12.

It was same in the second quarter where Singapore managed to score 12 goals to that of visitors 17 goals. At the end of the third quarter Sri Lankans led the game by a margin of 14 goals. Singapore, in a late fight back, won the third quarter by a goal but by then Sri Lankans had done everything to disappoint their opponents including the home crowd.

Yesterday's victory enabled them to play for the third slot in the tournament where they meet Namibia today at 3pm in Singapore time.

For both teams, yesterday’s game was crucial as Sri Lanka, Namibia, Singapore and Malaysia were all on a tie, having gained four points each. Undefeated Tanzania had earlier booked their place in the final.

Earlier on the day, Malaysia defeated Ireland by 49-35 which gave them six points in the table. Although Sri Lanka also secured six points after defeating Singapore, Malaysia who had secured a greater goal difference than Sri Lanka will play in the final with Tanzania at 5pm today. Singapore and Republic of Ireland vie for the fifth and sixth slots.