Asian Games 2014 is under way in Incheon, Korea from 30th September – 2nd October. Sri Lanka finished second from pool C, after going down dishearteningly to the host Korea 21 -12 in the group match.
Sri Lanka overcame Chinese Taipei comfortably on the first day by winning 24 – 07. Danushka Ranjan notched up two great tries whilst his captain Fazil Marija and Shehan Pathirana scored a try each.
Lebanon team squeezed in to pool C from repechage after the Indian team withdrew participation in the Asian Games rugby 7’s. However, as expected, theTuskers ran riot against the Lebanese with 8 tries, as the final score stood at 54 – 00. Anurudda Wilwara scored a hat-trick, Mithun Hapugoda scored two tries and Fazil Marija, Dinusha Chathuranga and Srinath Sooriyabandara scored one each.
On the final group match against Korea earlier today, Sri Lanka suffered a shock defeat after some brilliant play and holding the lead 12 – 00 at half time. It was a tale of two halves as the hosts Korea stormed in to the second half with three tries finishing on top of pool C with a 21 – 12 win.
Mithun Hapugoda was simply outstanding as he saved a try by pressuring his opposite number on a 5m scrum in defending line in the first half. He was in action once again as he stole the ball from the Korean winger who was almost scoring the try in the right corner which as a result led Wilwara to score the second try after Weerarathne scored the first in the left corner.
Sri Lanka mishandled the restart after lemons as a result Yang Younghun touched down for the first try under the post. Soon after the first try, Jeong Yeonsik scored two tries in quick succession. Korea had more ball position and support play in the second half also more fitness and speed in their legs, which is where the Tuskers were outplayed.
As a result Sri Lanka finished 4th overall and they will take on China who finished 5th overall in the quarter final match which will kick off today at 2.32 p.m. (SL Time) Sri Lanka beat China twice in the recently concluded Asian 7’s series in Hong Kong and Malaysia. Surprisingly China drew with Pakistan scoreless at the full time despite their valiant effort against Hong Kong also ended with a loss with a 19 – 05.
If Sri Lanka beats China, they will play either Japan or Taipei in the semifinals tomorrow at 1.10p.m SL Time.
