Lankans on show in the cup quarters today
Sri Lanka won against Kazakhstan but Japan remained unbeaten from Group ‘D’ after handing the Tuskers their only defeat on the first day of the HSBC Asian Sevens Series 2013 played in Pedaling Jaya Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday.
Sri Lanka who ended second in the group, will meet the winners of Pool B, Malaysia, in the Cup quarterfinals today. Group ‘D’ winners Japan will take on Thailand while Group ‘A’ leaders Hong Kong is scheduled to meet unbeaten Chinese Taipei in the opening game today. In the fourth quarterfinal Philippines will meet South Korea.
Sri Lanka 7s skipper was in top form yesterday against Kazakhstan. He scored a try and kicked two conversions in the game where the Tuskers won by 21-0. - Pic courtesy SLRFU
Sri Lanka convincingly beat Kazakhstan by 21-0 in their first group match before going down to Japan 14-29 after a spirited battle. Kazakhstan looked dominant but Sri Lanka capitalised on their opponent’s own strength as they led the halftime by 14-0. In their second game Japan performed clinically to lead the halftime by 19-7.
Today the odds favour the Tuskers in their quarterfinal battle as they have beaten Malaysia three times in last season’s Asian Seven Series.
The Sevens Series got underway in pouring rain with top seed in Group ‘A’ Hong Kong beating Singapore by 22-0. Later on the day they went on to beat Thailand by 43-0 to remain unbeaten. Thailand beat Singapore 10-5 to take the second place. From Group ‘B’, Malaysia beat top seed China 26-0 and went onto show their maturity by overcoming South Korea by 38-14, after being held 14-all at half time. South Korea beat China 28-7 to take second place.
From the Group ‘C’ top seed Chinese Taipei beat UAE by 32-0 while Philippines too made merry against the Emirates with a comprehensive 38-0 win. The match between Philippines and Chinese Taipei was a tight affair for top spot, but eventually ended in a 5-all draw. However the Philippines head this pool with a better score against UAE and will play South Korea in the quarters. Japan topped Group ‘D’ after beating Kazakhstan 38-0 and Sri Lanka 29-14 while Sri Lanka took the second place.
| The lineup of the Knockout stage (MAS time):
Cup quarterfinals 12:30: Hong Kong vs Chinese Taipei Bowl semi-finals 14:00: Singapore vs UAE |
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