Women cyclists win first medal for Lanka

by Leslie FERNANDO reporting from Dhaka, Bangladesh

SA GAMES: CYCLING: Sri Lanka women cyclists won the first medal - a bronze in the 30-kilometre Road Team Trixi on the second day of the 11th South Asian Games held at BKSP, Khutna, out of the Dhaka City here on Saturday.

Lankan cyclists took 47 minutes and 07.08 seconds to cover the distance. The bronze winner Sri Lanka team was Lasanthi Krishna, Nilaka Shymal, Nirushani Perera and Pushpa Rani. India won the first gold in this event with a time of 44 minutes 22.15 seconds while silver winner Pakistan timed 47 minutes 04.06 seconds.

There were four competitors for this event and Bangladesh was the fourth taking 48 minutes.

Badminton

In the men's badminton team championships Sri Lanka shuttlers qualified to play in the semi-finals after defeating Pakistan by 3 matches to 2. Our shuttlers will meet Nepal in the second semi-final today. The first semis will be between India and Bangladesh who completed a time 5-0 win against the Maldives.

Niluka Karunaratna gave a time start winnings the first singles against Syed Shabbar Hussain 2-0. He was in great form hitting with great power and precision to achieve victory in straight sets 21-9, 21-4. Niluka's brother Dinuka continued the teams success defeating Wajid Ali in the second singles 24/22, 7/21 and 21/18. Nuwan Hettiarachchi lost the third single to Ahysan Qaner 21-16, 17-21, 21-16 and Pakistan were down 2-1.

Pakistan won the 4th match - 1st double to level 2-2. Karunaratne brothers Niluka and Dinuka combination took the deciding match to pave the way for team's win over Pakistani doubles pair 21-9, 21-14. Both Niluka and Dinuka consistency proved the deciding factor both were always a step ahead upsetting the rhythm of the Pakistanis not giving their time to play there shots.

Hockey

Bangladesh got off to a winning start in the 11th South asian Games Hockey defeating Sri Lanka 3-1 at Moulana Bhasani National Stadium in Dhaka. Rahaman Chayan scored two goals for hosts from penalty corner in the 32nd and 55 minutes while Kamruzzuan added the third goal. M. Mulaffer scored the only goal for Sri Lanka in the 34th minutes.

Anju Hewage of Sri Lanka won the player of the match award for his outstanding performances throughout the match.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan 1-0

Sri Lanka men’s soccer team cleared the first hurdle with a close 1-nil win over the defending champions Pakistan in a Group ‘A’ league match at the 11th South Asian Games Football Tournament played at M.A. Aziz Stadium in Chittagon, 243 km away from city of Dhaka on Friday after the opening ceremony held at Bangabandu Stadium.

Lankan soccerites going flat out for victory were seen in number of moves from the outset of the Game and M.A. Kaiz struck the all important goal in the sixth minute of the match.

Meanwhile Pakistan who were awarded two penalties were not successful as they wasted both spot kicks.

One kick saved by the ‘keeper’ and the other went side out of the goal.

The penalties were awarded in the 40th and 44th minute of the first-half.

In the first match Afghanistan upset India 1-0 with Belal Arezon scoring the only goal two minutes from half-time.

After conceding the lead India put up a spirited show and yielded a lot of scoring chances, but importantly all their attempts went astray.

Today (Sunday) Sri Lanka soccerites will take on India in the third game of the tournament while Pakistan play the fourth game against Afghanistan.

In Group ‘A’ matches at M.A. Aziz Stadium, Chittagons a win today for Sri Lanka will see them through to the final round.