Hong Kong lacrosse team showed we can compete in loss to Haudenosaunee at World Championships

Hong Kong began their first appearance in the elite section of the World Men’s Lacrosse Championship with a defeat, but not before giving their more illustrious opponents an early surprise, with the players believing their future looks bright.

Facing the tournament’s third seeds Haudenosaunee as the top-14 play-offs began in San Diego, they took an unexpected early lead through Evan Mok-Lamme.

Their fortunes were to turn emphatically, as Haudenosaunee scored the next 10 goals on their way to a 13-3 win.

The Hongkongers scored twice more, through Mok-Lamme and Keith Tsang, but it was Haudenosaunee who progressed to the quarter-finals.

“We showed that we can compete with one of the best teams and best players in the world,” Hong Kong captain Kelvin Mak Ho-chun said.

“Of course, we know they are better in many ways, but we also showed the world what Hong Kong lacrosse is, so we are proud of what we did.

“We have done well in many aspects – fought hard, brilliant defence and goaltending, played a dynamic offence especially in the beginning, and we actually had the first goal. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Next for Mak’s side is the first of the matches to decide the minor placings, against Germany.

“We faced them in the last two World Championships and the results weren’t good,” Mak said. “But we are definitely better than before, so we are ready for the challenge.”

The city’s coach Bob Snider hailed the experience of “being able to step on the field and compete with one of the best teams in the world”.

“Not many lacrosse players get the opportunity to play the best,” he said. “We certainly had moments where we showed we can compete at that level. It was a very positive experience and a historic moment for the players.

“We made some errors but our successful moments occurred when we played composed, had patience and played with intent.”

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