Hong Kong’s men avenge Fogo Japan loss to take title at Lacrosse Open, but women undone by stronger opponents
- Third time’s a charm for city’s men, who finally get better of arch-rivals after losing finals in 2023, 2019
- Women lose 13-7 to a Japanese club side with six national team players in their ranks
Hong Kong’s men made it third time lucky in the city’s Lacrosse Open on Sunday, finally beating arch-rivals Fogo Japan, having lost the them in the 2023 and 2019 finals.
Lam Wui-hei struck twice in an 8-5 victory for the home side, avenging the narrow 8-7 defeat in last year’s encounter.
However, the dark clouds hanging over the University of Hong Kong’s Stanley Ho Sports Centre reflected the mood in the women’s dressing room, who were unable to retain their title after losing 13-7 to Japanese side, Second Era Leaders of Lacrosse.
Cheung Wing, the Hong Kong men’s captain, said, hailed his side’s composure after the fought back from a goal down at the end of the first period, in a close-fought physical battle.
“We’ve had a long battle with them, I was in the under-20 team last year when we lost to them [Fogo Japan] in the final by one goal,” Cheung said. “We stuck together, we stayed composed and got the team win.”
Down 3-2, Hong Kong struggled to contain Fogo Japan’s Kodai Mori early on, with the defender twice picking the ball up from deep and running straight through his opponents, forcing a shot on goal with one attempt and scoring the other.
