World Lacrosse Championship: Hong Kong Captain Kelvin Mak Says ‘We Belong’ After Win over Netherlands Seals Best Finish
By James H. Sterling
Hong Kong ended their World Lacrosse Men’s Championship on a high as they beat the Netherlands to secure 13th place, their best ever finish.
A 10-7 triumph for Hong Kong – who are playing in the tournament’s elite play-off section for the first time – was powered by a stunning second-quarter salvo in San Diego on Friday, as they scored five goals without reply to take control and propel themselves towards victory.
There were three goals for Dash Tsai and two apiece for Tony Ko and Logan Ip as Hong Kong completed a memorable campaign in style.
They twice trailed early on to the Netherlands, but Ip, one of their stars of the tournament, drew them level at 1-1, before captain Kelvin Mak Ho-chun again equalised at 2-2.
Tsai then put Hong Kong in front before, from 3-3, Hong Kong asserted themselves.
First, Ko netted at the end of the first quarter. Then came an unanswered three-goal streak in the second, through Evan Mok-Lamme, Tsai again and Chan Kei. Ko struck again at the start of the third quarter to put Hong Kong into a commanding 8-3 lead.
Following a brace from their opponents to reduce the deficit, Ip and Tsai, with his third, extended Hong Kong’s advantage once more. Two late goals from the Netherlands did not alter the outcome.
This year’s 13th place out of 30 teams represented a considerable jump for Hong Kong. They had ranked last and second-last in their first two global tournaments, in 2002 and 2006, and were still among the also-rans in the last edition, in 2018, when they finished 27th.
“We’re happy to end the tournament with a win,” Mak said. “This win also symbolises that we do belong to this play-off bracket. We are very proud to be in this place.
“It indicates that the level of Hong Kong lacrosse is really improving, and the hard work our players have been putting in does make a difference.
“I hope it encourages young players in Hong Kong to dream big and pursue their own lacrosse dream. This sets a high standard for future Hong Kong teams, and the next generation has to work even harder to be better than us.”
Hong Kong lacrosse on rise
Their finishes at the World Championship:
2002 15th of 15 teams
2006 20th of 21 teams
2010 22nd of 29 teams
2014 22nd of 38 teams
2018 27th of 46 teams
2022 13th of 30 teams – their best yet
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
