Asia Rugby Division 1: Final hurdle awaits Sri Lanka for AR Top 4 promotion

By Shamseer Jaleel

All eyes of the Asian Rugby World will be eagled eyed on the Racecourse Ground today (4 May) when the final of the Asia Rugby Division 1 takes place with hosts Sri Lanka playing against Kazakhstan in the second game which will decide which team goes through to Asia Rugby Top 4 in 2025. 

The day’s proceedings will commence at 4 p.m. with Qatar and India playing for survival in the AR Division 1 with the danger for the loser who will be demoted to AR Division 2 in 2025.

     Qatar yard faster than India

The first game of the day will see India take on Qatar in a relegation playoff, with the loser set to drop down to Asia Rugby Division 2 for 2025. Both teams will be desperate to retain their Division 1 status, making for what is sure to be a tense and closely-fought affair.

 Qatar though had a few hiccups played well to edge out Kazakhstan outfit. India on the other hand needed match experience. Boys played well but in patches lacked the finishing touches. This will be the main area their South African Coach will be looking for. Qatar were edged out by Kazakhstan 31/33 while Indians were beaten 10/45 in their first games played at the same venue on 30 April.

Referee will be Ishanka Abeykoon and CMO will be Anil Jayasinghe.

Close game expected between Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan

Sri Lanka, playing in front of their home fans, will be looking to finally break through and earn a promotion after falling many times in the past plus more focus being given to the shorter version of the game in the country where the players are more suited for.

Sohiru Anthony will once again lead the outfit. He is having a dream season. He won the League title after many years for his club CR and FC under his leadership.

Sohiru was well supported by his deputy, Tarinda Ratwatte, the most experienced out of the lot who controlled the game beautifully both from centre and fly half positions reading the game very well in their opening encounter. Adeesha Weerathunge, Heshan Jansen, Akash Madushanka and Mursheed Doray had a dream start to the XV a side career while Hirusha Sampath coming in the last 10 minutes produced some magic for the hosts. But this game is not going to be a cake walk as the Russian outfit is more of a physical side and could throw in their heavy weight at the young Sri Lankan forwards but in three quarters play Sri Lanka will be yards faster than their opponents.

Standing in their way are a physical Kazakhstani outfit, who have their sights set on a return to the top tier of Asian Rugby. The Central Asian nation has invested heavily in its rugby infrastructure in recent years, and this talented squad will be determined to make the most of this golden opportunity. They will be led by their Number 8, Magomedrassul Magomedov, an outstanding player in the defence as well in attack will be the player to watch out for in the visitors’ camp.

Sri Lanka skipper Sohiru Anthony speaking to Daily FT said “Boys are together for the last 2 weeks and combined well together as a unit. We have players representing all the 8 clubs and unity being the key for our success. We are thankful to the coaching staff Headed by Sanath Martis, Lewke and Ibrahim they have done a lot of improvements within a short period of time. Sri Lanka Rugby too supported us to the maximum. We want to sign off high in front of our home crowd and earn a promotion for AR Top 4 in 2025”.

Sri Lanka (probable XV): 

Charith Silva, Pulasthi Dasanayaka, Janidu Fernando, Suhiru Anthony (C), Raveen de Silva, Adeesha Weerathunga, Tharindu Chathuranga, Lasindu Karunathilaka, Heshan Jenson, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Dinal Ekanayake, Tarinda Ratwatte (VC), Akash Madusanka, Sudaraka Dickubura and Mursheed Doray.

Head Coach is Sanath Martis; Forwards, Strength and Condition Coach is Dushantha Lewke and Three Quarter Coach is Nilfer Ibrahim.

Kazakhstan (probable line up): 

Adam Gadaborshev, Akhiyat Imam, Georgly Litvinov, Timofei Maksimenko, Timur Timoshin, nikita Lvanov, onlassyn Tursunbek, Magomedrassul Magomedov (Capt), Alexey Lukmanov, Roman Chsherbakov, Amanzhan Vassilov, Alexander Lymar, Maxim Petukhov, Abdrakhman Nazhibayev.

Referee will be James Fairbourn (UAE) and CMO will be David Harper (UAE).