World Lacrosse Super Sixes: Hong Kongs women still learning says coach after heavy defeats

Hong Kong’s women struggled on the opening day of the World Lacrosse Super Sixes, but head coach Gemini Fan Tak-kwan said the three defeats against some the world’s best had been a good learning opportunity.

As with the Hong Kong Open in April, the hosts have fielded two teams in this weekend’s tournament, which is being played with the format the sport will use when it makes it Olympic debut at the LA Games in 2028.

And Fan said her players, who are more accustomed to the traditional 10-a-side version, were still adjusting to the new rules which include a requirement that the team in possession to advance the ball out of the defensive area past the centre line in 10 seconds or less.

Hong Kong I were thrashed 22-4 by Great Britain in their only game of the day at Aberdeen Sports Ground, while their colleagues lost 18-2 to Germany and 16-9 to the Philippines.

“Our style is to seek scoring opportunities on the fast break, so the outfield players tend to rush forward on every possession, and tend to forget they need to cut back and provide more [passing] options for the goalkeeper,” Fan said.

“There was no such rule last year, it’s a new one added in the past two months [for the Super Sixes], and we didn’t really practice about this, so we’re not quite familiar with it.”

Although considered the more attack minded of the two city sides, HK I did not register their first goal until three minutes into the second quarter, but were already 8-1 down at that point.

Fan admitted her side had been “overpowered” by England, who are ranked No 3 in the world in the full version of the sport.

“They’re a really good side and their full-court press gave us little room,” she said. “Nevertheless, it’s a good experience for us we don’t have many chances against such top teams.

“This is our first international Sixes tournament so it’s nice to have them coming all the way.”

While HK I could still reach the knockout stages with a win over China on Saturday, Fan rued the “missed chances” that cost HK II in their game against the Philippines.

The hosts squandered at least four clear chances to score in the first quarter, before finding themselves trailing 5-2 after the first eight minutes.

“Despite not playing against the Philippines or seeing them at any international tournaments previously, we thought it was a 50-50 match,” Fan said. “They do have some players playing at college level in the United States but it should be an even match.

“There is always room for improvement, and I hope the players can do better in the final group match.”

Hong Kong II will face the Czech Republic in their final Group A match on Saturday, but with only the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stages, the hosts are expected to be out of contention after back-to-back losses.

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