‘We’re in this to win it’: Hong Kong men’s sevens feel the pressure heading into 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifier

The heavily favoured squad features youngsters such as Max Denmark, who has turned heads for Hong Kong since the 2017 Asia Rugby Sevens Series

The team hope to erase failing to qualify for the 2015 Rio Olympics, as well as losing in the World Series qualifying final at Hong Kong Sevens

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Liam Herbert, Russell Webb and Max Denmark know winning is the only acceptable outcome this weekend for Hong Kong’s men’s sevens team. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 8:00am, 21 Nov 2019Updated: 10:34am, 21 Nov 2019

At the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in April, the men’s team made a remarkable run to the final in the World Series qualifier at the tournament.

Underdogs going in, they upset Tonga and came first in their group before beating the Philippines and then downing Chile in a barnburner to find themselves against Ireland in the final with a berth in the World Series on the line. Hong Kong ended up losing 28-7 to Ireland, a stinging defeat they now have a chance to make a distant memory this weekend in Incheon, South Korea.

Hong Kong will line up against eight other teams as the top seeds in the Asian Olympic Qualifier at Namdong Asiad Stadium. Hong Kong will slot into a group with Taiwan, who they will play at 11.44am on Saturday in their first pool match and then Malaysia at 2.14pm to round out their three-team group play.

The other six teams are South Korea, Afghanistan, Singapore, China, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Head coach Paul John said he knows full well his team have to qualify for the Olympics. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

There is no undervaluing the prize at the end of this tournament – the second last spot in the rugby sevens tournament (July 27-29) at the 2020 Olympics (July 24-August 9) in Tokyo.