A new look Sri Lankan side will prepare for the opener of the Asia Sevens Series under a new leadership following their disappointing run at the recently concluded Asian Games.
The Asia Sevens Series is a three-legged annual series that will decide the best in the continent in the shorter format of the game, and the top two teams at the end of the series will qualify to play the 2019 World Series qualifiers in Hong Kong.
This time around the women’s series will also run parallel, with the Asia Rugby Women’s series also consisting of three legs.
The first leg of the series will take place on the 14th and 15th of September at the Hong Kong Football Club. The second will be played in Incheon South Korea, and the third in Colombo, Sri Lanka respectively.This time around the women’s series will also run parallel, with the Asia Rugby Women’s series also consisting of three legs.
It will be tough for the men’s outfit been grouped alongside Japan, China and Chinese Taipei for the opener.
Sri Lanka came up with one of their best performances against the Asian giants Japan recently, losing the semifinals 12-10. The loss in the semis deprived their chances of winning silverware and the Tuskers might have some unfinished business when they face Japan in their second game of the first leg.
Read More: Korea break Lankan hearts
It won’t be easy for the national sevens team, Srinath Sooriyabandara will be giving leadership to a new clan as they hunt a podium finish.
Read more: Mercurial Sooriyabandara to lead new-look Sri Lanka
Last year, the Tuskers finished 5th in Hong Kong after the team failed to make the cup semifinals.
Read more: Tuskers claim Plate Championship
Tuskers no match for the Chinese
Sri Lanka will play Asian Games silver medalists Japan and China on day 1 and later will face Chinese Taipei on day 2 (15th). The top two finishers from each group will make it to the cup semifinals while the lower two will play the Plate play-offs.
The fixtures for the Men’s tournament is as follows:
14th September-
Sri Lanka v China 11.28 a.m. (SL time)
Sri Lanka v Japan 2.45 p.m. (SL time)
15th September –
Sri Lanka v Chinese Taipei 9.20 a.m. (SL time)
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