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Patrick Blennerhassett

Hong Kong got outmuscled by China 42-7 at the Asia Rugby Sevens Tournament Qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in their second game on day one.
As the sun set on the University Town Sports Centre in Guangzhou, Hong Kong didn’t have an answer for China’s mix of size and speed.
Captain Melody Li Nim-yan said they were able to go toe to toe against China when the match started, but couldn’t sustain it for the whole test.

“We defended really well out of the gate, we were able to stop them for a number of phases. We just had a talk about it, we were really happy with our defensive play, we just need a find a way to replicate that and keep making those one on one tackles through 14 whole minutes.”

Head coach Iain Monaghan said he was happy with how his team started against China.
“I was quite pleased with the first five minutes, we just need to find a way to achieve that against them for a whole game.”
Hong Kong play South Korea tomorrow morning in their final pool game at 9:44am. Monaghan said it is a new day on Sunday and still anything can happen.

“I’ve never seen this tournament won on the first day.”
Hong Kong won their first group game against Sri Lanka earlier on Saturday 27-7.
Captain Melody Li Nim-yan echoed her coach’s statements and said there are some positives they can take forward, knowing when they are playing together as a unit they can compete with China.

“We defended really well out of the gate, we were able to stop them for a number of phases. We just had a talk about it, we were really happy with our defensive play, we just need a find a way to replicate that and keep making those one on one tackles through 14 whole minutes.”
In the squad’s first match against Sri Lanka, Anna Birkett, 17, got her first try in her first game for Hong Kong the first time she touched the ball.

“I had some nerves for sure, but I just wanted to go out there and do my best as it such an honour to put this jersey on.”
The other group, which features Kazakhstan, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines went according to plan as Kazakhstan won both their group games to lead the charge, although Thailand did give them a scare during their match as the two teams were tied at half-time.
Thailand stunned everyone to make it all the way to the final against Japan (who have already qualified for Tokyo as hosts) in the last leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Sri Lanka. Kazakhstan are one of the favourites along with China to win the tournament and qualify for the Games.


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Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Hong Kong lose to China to close out first day of Olympic qualifying tournament

China’s size and strength were too much for Hong Kong. Photos: HKRU

Natasha Olsen-Thorne

Hong Kong players rev themsevles up before playing Sri Lanka. Photo: HKRU

Nam Ka-man for Hong Kong vs China

Anna Birkett scores for Hong Kong against Sri Lanka. Photo: HKRU

Chong Ka-yan scores for Hong Kong against Sri Lanka. Photo: HKRU

Sport

Rugby

HK Sevens


Iain Monaghan’s squad are unable to match the mainlanders whose mix of size and speed prove too much
Hong Kong play South Korea on Sunday morning in their final pool game



Iain Monaghan’s charges are unable to match the mainlanders whose mix of size and speed prove too much


Hong Kong lose to China to close out first day of Olympic qualifying tournament

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Iain Monaghan’s squad are unable to match the mainlanders whose mix of size and speed prove too much Hong Kong play South Korea on Sunday morning in their final pool game

Iain Monaghan’s squad are unable to match the mainlanders whose mix of size and speed prove too much

Hong Kong play South Korea on Sunday morning in their final pool game