Tokyo Olympics 2020: how do Hong Kong’s women’s rugby sevens qualify for the Games this weekend?

The underdog squad need to upset two favourites – China and Kazakhstan – on Saturday and Sunday in Guangzhou

Hong Kong will also have to content with a feisty Thailand squad who look to be on the rise when it comes to the sport

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Hong Kong’s head coach Iain Monaghan and his squad are hoping to play spoiler this weekend. Photos: HKRU

Published: 5:37pm, 8 Nov 2019Updated: 5:37pm, 8 Nov 2019

Hong Kong’s hopes at heading off to Japan next summer for the women’s rugby sevens portion of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo will most likely come down to results against two teams.

The first will be a Chinese squad that will have home field advantage starting on Saturday in Guangzhou at the University Town Sports Centre Stadium where the two-day Asia Women’s Rugby Sevens Tournament kicks off.

Next summer, 10 squads will take part in the rugby sevens event at the Olympics, the second time the sport will feature in the Games. The top four teams from the World Rugby Series have already qualified (New Zealand, the US, Canada and Australia) along with regional qualifiers Brazil, Great Britain, Kenya and hosts Japan. There is also an Oceania qualifying tournament ongoing to determine the other slot.

Who are the teams to beat for Hong Kong?

Hong Kong are slotted into a group with China along with Sri Lanka and South Korea. The Chinese squad finished second behind Japan at the three-legged Asia Rugby Sevens Series, which recently wrapped in Sri Lanka. China lost the final of the first leg, which started August 31 in South Korea, to Japan (who have already qualified for the Olympics as hosts) by a score of 19-5.

Anna Birkett (right) with coach William Webster.

China then lost to Japan again in the second leg in Huizhou 22-17, and then blanked Kazakhstan 31-0 in the final leg in Sri Lanka to finish third. Hong Kong lost to China in South Korea 19-7 in the cup semi-final, then got blitzed by the squad 45-0 in Huizhou during the group stage, and the two squads did not meet in Sri Lanka.

The other team will be Kazakhstan, who finished third overall in the Asia Rugby Sevens Series. Hong Kong beat Kazakhstan 17-10 in the first leg of the series in South Korea, and then Kazakhstan beat Hong Kong 19-17 in Huizhou, and then lost to China in Sri Lanka to end their campaign.