Philippines aiming to topple Hong Kong at Lion City Sevens

Welshman Harry Morris is brimming with confidence that his adopted country, the Philippines, will knock Hong Kong off their high perch when the fourth and final leg of the HSBC Asian Sevens Series starts in Singapore today.

If Morris and his teammates have their way, Hong Kong will be in an early dogfight as they bid to qualify for the World Cup in Moscow next year at the 12-team tournament which doubles as the Asian qualifiers.

"We can match Hong Kong. They are a very physical side but we won't have any problems with that. We can take them on and, skill-wise too, I'm confident we will be on a par with Hong Kong," said skipper Morris.

As Asian champions - having won two of the three legs and finishing runners-up to Japan in the other this season - Hong Kong are favourites to clinch one of three spots available for Asia at the 24-team World Cup next June. But everyone starts with a clean slate today, especially the Philippines who have brought in eight new players for this tournament.

"We only have four players, myself included, who played in the last leg in Mumbai. There are eight fresh faces, players who are based in Japan or in Australia. We are at full strength as we have set our sights on qualifying for Moscow," said Morris, who qualifies as he is half-Filipino like the rest of the squad.

"And the best way to go about it is to beat Hong Kong in our pool match," Morris said. "I believe we can go all the way with this side. There is no reason why we cannot."