Sri Lanka got the better of a hapless Hong Kong national team beating them by 71-48 in their last game of the top group, or Group ‘E’, of the tournament on Thursday, 6 September, at the Asian Netball Championship in Singapore. They thus reached Saturday’s semi-final of the Championship with flying colours as hot favourites for the title which they are eyeing to clinch for the fifth time in 30 years. On Thursday against Hong Kong, Sri Lanka led 39-25 at half-time. They finished as first in Group ‘E’ and therefore will meet the fourth-placed, or the last, team of the same Group in the semi-finals on Saturday having a clear edge to make victory and enter Sunday’s grand finale. The four countries that comprise Group ‘E’ are Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Sri Lanka emerged victorious against the rest of the three countries. This is the 11th edition of the Asian Netball Championship, held every two years. Inaugurated in 1985 in Malaysia, it was held every four years until 2009 and, since then, it has been mostly held every two years. The top team in Asia is considered to be Sri Lanka who have won the Asian Netball Championship four times; in 1989 in India, 1997 in Singapore, 2001 in Colombo and 2009 in Malaysia. They have been the runner-up too four times; in 1985, 2012, 2014 and 2016. They have finished at least among top three on all ten occasions the Championship has been held so far. No other country has dominated the Asian Netball Championship in such a convincing manner. Semi-finals Schedule – Saturday, 8 September – 12.30 p.m. SL time – 1st of Group ‘E’ (Sri Lanka) vs. 4th of Group ‘E’ 2.30 p.m. SL time – 2nd of Group ‘E’ vs. 3rd of Group ‘E’ Final – Sunday, 9 September – At 1.30 p.m. SL time * The above picture shows Sri Lanka team worshipping their head coach Thilaka Jinadasa after the Hong Kong game on Thursday, 6 September.