Tokyo 2020: Hong Kong down Philippines; now face South Korea for spot at Olympics
- After all the waiting, it all comes down to one game against South Korea at 4.40pm Hong Kong time
- After trouncing the Philippines, Hong Kong now have a remarkable opportunity – win and they go to Tokyo next summer
Hong Kong are now one win away from calling themselves Olympians.
As the rain drizzled down on Namdong Asia Stadium, the men’s sevens rugby team put in another solid effort, downing Asian rivals the Philippines 26-0 in their semi-final of the 2020 Asia Rugby Men’s Sevens Olympic Qualifier. Hong Kong will now play South Korea, who beat China in the other semi-final, for a one-off game to head to the Olympics, which will start at 4.30pm Hong Kong time.
Coach Paul John said there isn’t much else he can say to his players now.
“They don’t need much,” said John, who called the match against the Philippines a “dog fight”.
“There’s enough senior players and players who know what is on the line. It’s just a matter if they play like they can, and express themselves like they can, we will be in a good place.”
John said the final, which will be played in slippery conditions against a team who will have most of the stadium cheering for them comes down to staying in control of the match. “We can’t let momentum changes effect us, that’s the beauty of sevens and that’s why we love it, and why we have no hair.”
Jamie Hood, who was a part of the squad who came within a win of qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics during the same tournament in 2015, said getting another chance to qualify is a dream come true.
“Obviously four years ago we were very close, we were up at half-time, and it got away from us at the end. But things have changed we’ve got a lot more players eligible to us, and we’re just hoping we can put it all out there for 14 minutes.”
Hood said the key to the game is something Hong Kong have been emphasising all weekend, which is sticking to their game plan and not getting roped into other team’s style of play.
“Korea have some really good players, they’ve got a lot of big boys, guys who like to carry hard and also some steppers with some speed.”
Hong Kong scored first against Malaysia as captain Max Woodward broke across the line with two minutes to go in the first half, and Hong Kong led 14-0 at half-time as Russell Webb was awarded a penalty try after a clear pass to him was swatted down by a Philippines player.
In the other semi-final, South Korea beat China after a five-minute sudden death overtime period as the two teams were tied 7-7 at the end of the second half. In front of a raucous home crowd, Jeong Ming Jan snuck out wide and sped his way past multiple defenders.
