Sri Lanka to face stiff opposition against Japan and Hong Kong

Thursday, 21 August 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

On the surface, Sri Lanka’s participation in this year’s Asian Sevens Series 2014 will bring the usual expectations for the local fans. But, in reality, there’s much more riding on a successful campaign for them now than ever before.

Last year Sri Lanka under the same leader Fazil Marija achieved the number three position and expecting to beat either Hong Kong or Japan or one of them in order to climb up the ladder in the Asian Sevens series 2014. Sri Lanka, nothing short of passion in rugby football and considering it as the top sport in some places, will kick off the Asian Sevens Series in Hong Kong on 23 August. Last year’s enthralling Series saw the two Asian Giants Hong Kong and Japan ending on top two finishers, separated by just two points in the final standings after reaching all four cup finals. The points differential between the two contenders last season was just four points across the four matches. Sri Lanka will have a new sevens coach, the former Fiji Sevens skipper, Western Warriors and Navy SC player Stefano Cakaloa, who has taken over from Nilfer Ibrahim.

The Asian sevens circuit with Malaysia and China are the other two stops in the men’s series. Sandwiched between the tournaments in Malaysia and China is the 17th Asian Games in South Korea in late September. Sri Lanka will find it tough against Japan and Hong Kong as these two outfits are professionals in their sport. Sri Lanka had a good preparation for this tournament in Hong Kong, Asian sevens series in Malaysia, China and Asian Games. It all started with the Mercantile sevens; the players got the best exposure at the Carlton local sevens in Kurunegala and Beliatta. Later on the icing on the cake was at the two Carlton Super sevens legs in Koggala and Colombo where the local players paired off very well with over 40 quality overseas sevens players.

Without any doubt the absence of star player, local player of the Carlton Super Sevens and the leading try scorer Srinarth Sooriyabandara will be felt very badly. In attack or in defense Srinarth is a top class player and never afraid to attack or take any player head on. He is the No. 1 scrum half in the island and is expected to join Fazil’s team at the second leg in Malaysia in first week of September. Sri Lanka will meet China on 23 August (11:34 a.m. Sri Lanka time) and Chinese Taipei (2:44 p.m. Sri Lanka time) in their men’s group matches. In the women’s encounters, Sri Lankan girls will meet Hong Kong on 23 August (6:34 a.m.), China (10:06 a.m.), Thailand (1.02 p.m.).