The road to Rio: Can Hong Kong’s men finally beat sevens nemesis Japan and qualify for the Olympics?
Coach Gareth Baber keeps his team focused on sticking to their game plan for Asia qualifier at Hong Kong Stadium
Gareth Baber sees his major task in the days leading up to the Asia Rugby Sevens Qualifier for the Olympics as keeping a lid on expectations but Hong Kong's head coach can rest assured there is always a cold truth to be found in hard facts.
The draw might have been kind - pool B offering up Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Philippines and Iran - but Baber knows full well the shadow of Japan hangs over the tournament, given their dominance through this year's Asia Rugby Sevens Series.
It’s no secret this group has been on the cusp a few times but hasn’t quite got there
The Brave Blossoms finished with a perfect three-from-three, winning in Qingdao (28-12 over China), Bangkok (45-7 over South Korea) and Colombo (29-22 over Hong Kong).
And the obvious thinking is the road to Rio leads straight to them - or through them, as the case may be.
Japan's record against Hong Kong across the series was similarly impressive, with that victory in Sri Lanka following a Cup semi-final win in Bangkok (24-19). China knocked Baber's team out at the Cup quarter-final stages in Qingdao (21-17) before they regrouped to win the Plate (27-0 over Kazakhstan).
History also tells Hong Kong not to look too far ahead, and Baber is there to remind his players lest they forget.
"It's no secret this group has been on the cusp a few times but hasn't quite got there," said Baber, no doubt with the disappointments of Asian Games and Hong Kong Sevens past echoing in his ears alongside this year's close losses to Japan.