Japan wrapped up their final match of the HSBC Asia Five Nations 2013 series with another top performance, beating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 93-3 at the Sevens Stadium, Dubai, last Friday May 10. This gives them a 24-point clean sweep in the competition and confirming once again their dominance of this Asian event.
South Korea also had an emphatic win at home against the Philippines in Ansan, with a 62-19 victory. This puts them into second place in the A5N table, equal on 12 points with Hong Kong, but with a marginal points difference advantage (49-47).
This sets up two interesting final week matches this coming Saturday May 18.
Hong Kong’s match against South Korea at Ansan Wa Stadium, in South Korea at 12 noon, is for the runner-up position. From the results to date, it should be a very close match, although home advantage may be the deciding factor.
Second is a desirable placing in A5N, but Hong Kong has already fulfilled its main mission in the tournament, which was to have a place to compete in the 2014 World Cup Qualifier next year.
There is more at stake in the Philippines and UAE match at Rizal Stadium, Manila.
This will decide the team that will take part in the competition next year and the one to be relegated in favour of Sri Lanka.
This should also be a close match and will, no doubt, be hard fought. The speed of the Filipino attackers, together with local support, may well clinch the fixture, but this is not at all certain.
