Asian Games: imperious Hong Kong cruise into semi-finals of rugby sevens after two Thai strolls
Paul John’s men secure two straightforward wins over Thailand to set-up semi-final clash against South Korea
Paul John’s team beat Thailand 36-7 in the midday sun to wrap-up group play with the mercury touching 34 degrees. Later, in the quarter-finals, they were paired with the luckless Thais again for the last match of the day.
The only consolation for Thailand second time around was that they weren’t savaged in the stifling hot, with the conditions far more favourable for their evening meeting, which ended 52-0 to Hong Kong.
There were some signs of lethargy in the ranks after Hong Kong quickly moved into a 14-0 lead in their first game of the day.
A lapse in concentration allowed Thailand to register before Hong Kong regained control, but the error was something Hong Kong skipper Ben Rimene was eager to address.
“We’ll have to go away and work on things we weren’t too happy with,” Rimene said. “We relaxed a little bit too much after going a few tries in front.”
But with pool play concluded Rimene’s message was clear: there was no more room for error.