VoxVib

Hong Kong are one win away from potentially qualifying for the main playoff bracket at the World Lacrosse Championship, after overcoming Austria 9-6 in San Diego on Sunday.

Coupled with Scotland’s defeat by Italy, who have already secured passage to the knockout round, Hong Kong sit second in Pool E ahead of Monday’s clash with Mexico.

The city’s men’s side had secured a stunning 9-7 upset against powerhouse Scotland on Saturday. But a third win in four games may not be enough as the team’s fate will depend on results from other pools.

“Even if we finish top two in the group, we are most probably going to be the worst second-placed team in Pool B to F because of our poor goal difference,” Kelvin Mak Ho-chun, who captained the city’s side, said.

“Therefore, we might not be able to reach the championship bracket and fall into the 15th to 22nd bracket, which is disappointing.

“But it is what it is. Now we will just focus on beating Mexico tomorrow and who knows what will happen.”

Ranked three places below world No 24 Austria, Hong Kong asserted control right from the start on Sunday. Liam Ferris stepped up with four goals, while there was a double from Dash Tsai.

Trailing 5-2 at halftime, Austria reeled off three goals after the restart to level the game. But Mak, who is playing in his third world championship, restored Hong Kong’s lead with an unassisted goal late in the third quarter.

Hong Kong went on to outscore the Austrians again in the final quarter to seal a second win in three pool games.

“Our defence has been great throughout the whole game. We had a little problem in our clearing, but we survived with that,” 32-year-old Mak said. “A three-goal win is not something we will be satisfied with, but a win is a win, and we will focus on the next game against Mexico.”

After losing 13-5 to Italy in their opening group match last Thursday, Hong Kong gave themselves some hope after shocking Scotland on Saturday, with Mak and Logan Ip, who is playing for Hong Kong internationally for the first time, combining for seven goals.

“The newcomers have been great,” Bob Snider, head coach of Hong Kong, said. “They complement the rest of the group extremely well and are doing a fantastic job contributing in all areas.”

“Ip is our youngest player,” Mak added. “He plays for Harvard in the NCAA Division 1, so he is very good.

“He has speed, he is agile, he can pass and shoot. We are happy to have him in our team in this tournament, to provide some style of play that we don’t have.”

France and the Netherlands, from Pool B and F respectively, have a plus-four goal difference after three games, while Hong Kong remain at minus-three.

The four best runners-up from Pool B to F will join the five group winners, and the five teams from Pool A, in the championship playoff bracket. The remaining pool runners-up will qualify for placement games.

Hong Kong finished 22nd in Colorado in 2014, and 27th in Israel four years later at the two most recent world championships.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tK%2FMqWWcp51kwLG70a1moaeenHqsu82gZpqqpJ6wrbGObGlrbWNsfnDDzqujnWWclrCzu9KsnGabmJa6sbXOp6qhoaBitbC6xmaiqKaXYrCwwcudZJudXaGyp8CMrK6emaRiuqK1zWanpZmppLOnecGrmJyjlal6tLzOrQ%3D%3D