After Wales defeated France in quadruple overtime earlier on day six at the 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship, Hong Kong, China had a clear, but steep mountain to climb in its matchup against Mexico.
Four second place teams would make the playoffs, and Wales finished in second place in Pool B with a +2 goal difference. Hong Kong, China entered its final pool play game needing to win to improve to 3-1, and to improve its goal difference from -3 to better that of Wales.
Hong Kong, China knew it had to win by six or more, and raced out to an early lead with an inspired first half. Hong Kong got the result it needed seconds into the fourth quarter, taking a 9-3 lead with Logan Ip’s fifth goal of the day.
Hong Kong benefitted from a few penalties and took an 11-4 lead on a goal from Evan Mok-Lamme, giving itself a one-goal cushion. But Mexico would not go away quietly and ripped off a three goal run in four minutes to cut the lead to 11-7, effectively leaving Hong Kong two goals away with less than five minutes to play.
Wesley Wong got one goal back, and then with just over two minutes to play, Liam Ferris scored the cathartic goal to restore the six-goal lead at 13-7.
Hong Kong added one more for insurance and saw out the clock to close a wild finish to play in Pool E.
Logan Ip delivered a clutch performance for Hong Kong with six goals and an assist. Dash Tsai added three goals and an assists while Ferris and Wong added two goals each.
Goalkeeper Marco Fung made five saves.
