Following a memorable finale between Hong Kong & Korea in the inaugural Asia Championship in 2016, the Hong Kong Islander Organization have confirmed the second ISBHF Asia Championship will be hosted November 16th & 17th in Hong Kong.
The Islanders deserve tremendous recognition for a world class hosted inaugural Asia Championship in 2016. From the venue, being open-air and covered, to the well-matched six teams taking part, the host organizers demonstrated experience and dedication to a championship tournament well-executed from start to finish.
“Various regional tournaments are a mainstay on the Asia circuit each year, including the Mekong Cup in Thailand, the Canton Cup in Hong Kong and the Yamato Cup in Tokyo; however, this is the first championship fully sanctioned by the ISBHF, which has made a successful jump into the Asia region.”
-ISBHF Asia Pacific Director, Colin Gennoe
Six teams from various regions in Asia descended upon the 4 on 4 venue in 2016; including Hong Kong (hosts), Macau, China, Thailand, as well as Team Korea 1 & 2. With New Zealand and Australia recently joining the ISBHF federation, there is speculation mounting that either one or both of these nations will compete, making the sequel Asia Championship truly ‘Pacific’ in every sense of the term.
Both Hong Kong and Korea have come to represent the elite organizations of late in the Asia region, and have developed a fierce rivalry in the process. In the 2016 finale, despite Korea getting out a quick 2-0 lead, Hong Kong would show veteran composure and eventually tie the game in the 2nd period, with Korea pulling away in the 3rd to a final score of 7-3.
Hong Kong has of course since won the ISBHF B Pool Championship at the 2017 ISBHF World Championships in Pardubice, and are once again confident ahead of what is sure to be another epic showdown in November. Fans of ball hockey around Asia cannot wait for the sequel in Hong Kong!
ISBHF B Pool Champions Hong Kong at the 2017 World Championships in Pardubice, Czech Republic.
Riley Horgan of Korea breaks in on a rush at the 2016 finale between Hong Kong and Korea.
Jon Szycta (black) of Hong Kong goes shoulder to shoulder with Andrew Bourque of Korea.
Korea would prevail 7-3 in the final against Hong Kong, setting up another epic showdown in November!
