Hockey: Azerbaijan qualify for Round 2

Published: 03 Dec 2012 - 08:03 am | Last Updated: 05 Feb 2022 - 09:57 pm

Mohammad Al Enazi (left), Development Director at Qatar Hockey Fedration hands over the World Hockey League trophy to Azerbaijan captain, Saleh Balamiyev at the end of Round 1 of the World Hockey League at Al Rayyan Stadium yesterday. RIGHT: Azerbaijan’s Muhammad Tofeeq and Milinda Sapugassoda of Sri lanka vie for the ball at Al Rayyan Stadium yesterday. Azerbaijan won 4-3. Azerbaijan topped the five-team tournament with an all-win record. Hosts Qatar finished second. PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT

DOHA: Formidable Azerbaijan defeated Sri Lanka 4-3 to qualify for Round 2 of the World Hockey League at the Al Rayyan Stadium yesterday.

Azerbaijan with yesterday victory finished with an all-win record and topped the pool in the round-robin tournament contested by five countries. The Eurasians finished with 12 points.

Hosts Qatar came second with nine points, with three wins and one loss. The Shaiful Azli coached side only loss came against Azerbaijan, to whom they went down fighting 5-4.

In the first match yesterday, Turkey stunned Oman 4-3 to clinch the first win of the tournament. Turkey, Oman and Sri Lanka all finished with three points, with one win and three losses.

Azerbaijan join Poland, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Ireland, Austria, Egypt, Scotland, Portugal, Trinidad & Tobago, Chile and USA who have already qualified for Round 2.

The Peninsula