Football was replaced with lacrosse last weekend at SCG Stadium in Nonthaburi, as the Thailand Lacrosse Association (TLA) hosted Singapore and Hong Kong for the “Battles in Bangkok competition. The all-day event marked the end of international play for the national teams in the region for the year 2012.
The event kicked off early in the morning as the Thailand men’s national team hosted the Singapore national team, which was comprised mostly of American expats. It was a long, hard-fought game and after eighty minutes of regulation the score was tied 6-6. Thailand entered a “sudden victory” overtime period without their top two scorers Dane Phonsai and team captain Todd Skinner, who had both left the game earlier due to injury. Unfortunately, unforced turnovers by the offense, a trend for Thailand throughout the game, continued to plague them in overtime. Singapore was able to capitalize by taking a loose ball down the field and getting off a bounce shot from the left wing, which barely squeezed by the Thailand goalkeeper.
The main event took place later that evening as Thailand faced off against Hong Kong. The stadium was abuzz as Thailand looked to gain redemption from their disappointing defeat earlier in the day. Despite the electrifying atmosphere under the lights of SCG Stadium, Hong Kong quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead. However, Thailand midfielder Nolt Vutthisak soon responded with a goal of his own and Thailand never looked back. Young Surasak Poomngern led a stingy Thailand defense that only allowed 6 goals, while the offense was led by Todd Skinner, playing through injury, and Kacy Small whose toughness and leadership inspired a fantastic offensive effort led by a pair of goals from attackmen Kiddee Charoenpanitkul and an incredible behind-the-back goal by Yoshi Suzamura. Final score: Thailand 11, Hong Kong 6.
The afternoon also featured the debut of the Thailand women’s lacrosse team who teamed up with the Singaporean women’s side to play against Hong Kong. Despite many of the players from the combination “Lioness” team playing in their first ever lacrosse game, they put forth a valiant effort, falling to a much more experienced Hong Kong team 8-7 in overtime. The men’s teams from Hong Kong and Singapore also faced off at noon with a much more physical Singapore team using their size advantage to finish their day with an 8-5 victory.
This tournament marked the end of the international season for the Southeast Asian teams. Thailand finished with a 3-1 record, Singapore finished 2-1 and Hong Kong was 0-3. With the best overall record in 2012, TLA President Prantarit Nerngchamnong and the Thailand Men’s National Lacrosse Team were awarded the venerated Singha trophy.
