The Hong Kong Hockey Association announces that the 6th Women’s Asia Cup will be held in Hong Kong from 1 until 9 September 2007. Nine Top Asian National sides will compete for the Asia Cup glory at the King’s Park Hockey Ground in Jordan, Kowloon. Keen competition is expected as this is the biggest Asian Women’s hockey tournament after the Doha Asian Games 2006.
“We are absolutely delighted to host the Asia Cup in Hong Kong, that is the largest women’s hockey event in Asia before 2008 Beijing Olympic Games,” said Brenda Smith, Vice President of the HKHA. “With participation of three of the World Top 10 women’s hockey nations China, Japan and South Korea, highly competitive games and a top class display of hockey can be expected in this biggest ever hockey tournament in Hong Kong”
Pool A sees China, ranked 5th in the World and the highest ranking team participating in the tournament, facing off with India (13th), Malaysia (24th), Singapore (47th) and Thailand (55th). The Asia’s No.1 hockey nation who surprisingly defeated The Netherlands, World No.1, last month, is heavily favored to win the pool. The hosts, seeded 6th in the Asia’s top Women’s hockey meeting, finds itself in Pool B headed by Asian hockey powerhouses Japan, ranked 6th in the World, and South Korea, 8th, alongside with Chinese Taipei.
“Both Japan and South Korea are fast paced team with good technique and they attack opponents very aggressively. We have been focusing on these areas in training and our defense has been significantly strengthened since last year’s Doha Asian Games where we were overwhelmed by them. I’m sure we will put up a good performance against them this time around” The Hong Kong Women’s Coach, Steve Rodrigues said confidently.
Japan and South Korea, the top two teams which are expected to dominate Pool B, likely will be head-to-head facing top seeded China from Pool A and their prime focus will surely be revenge. Both sides were beaten by China during 2006 Women’s Hockey World Cup tournament in Madrid, Spain. At the Doha Asian Games Japan lost out on the gold medal to China and South Korea was disappointed at its upset defeat by India in the bronze medal play-off.
The week-long tournament will be held at the King’s Park Hockey Ground on Wylie Road, Jordan. All entry is free. China will play against Malaysia in the Opening Match at 14:30 on Saturday, 1 September and the Opening Ceremony will be held later that day at 16:15. Immediately afterwards is the first match of Pool B, of which Hong Kong, China aims to dethrone Japan on its home soil.
Further information is available on the HKHA web site www.hockey.org.hk.
Source: Hong Kong Hockey Association
