Elusive final – a reality in Thailand for Tuskers!
View(s):Sri Lanka is pursuing a realistic vision of becoming a force to be reckoned within Asia, in sevens rugby. Already tagged a ‘dangerous’ opponent, the Sri Lankan Sevens team has fallen agonizingly short of a final slot in four attempts at the Asian Sevens Series rugby tournament and have ended up as the fourth best nation.
Skipper Marija is back in the team
A fortnight ago, the first version of the 2015 Asian Sevens Series in China saw the Sri Lankans squander a golden opportunity of making it to the final, losing out to the host nation in a tight semi-final. “Last time we were guilty of a few minor mistakes, which cost us the semi-final. However, the players are quite confident of reaching the last two in Thailand next weekend,” claimed a rather optimistic Rohan Chinthaka, the Manager of the Sri Lankan side.
“Fazil (Marija) and Dinusha (Chathuranga) are back at training. The final twelve is expected to be named on Monday or Tuesday. Practice sessions are at the Race Course grounds. The schedules are given on a day to day basis by the coach (Matthew Turner) and tomorrow’s session would in all probability be an evening one,” added Chinthaka.
The recovery of playmaker cum skipper Marija from a minor spinal related injury is a boost for the Tuskers. Marija whose natural ability to change direction in a split second whilst at full pace makes him one of the most feared entities in the Asian sevens circuit. Dinusha Chaturanga is reported to be in full fitness having recovered from an ankle injury.
Sri Lanka’s nemesis at post has been the inability to physically match up to the key opponents, one to one. However, if thrown wide, Sri Lankans have been a treat to watch with some breathtaking individual brilliance. Sri Lanka will come up against the Chinese Taipei and last season’s champions Hong Kong in the round robin games on Saturday (26). Sri Lanka is scheduled to face Chinese Taipei at approximately 13.52pm (Sri Lanka time) and the mighty Hong Kong at 16.22pm (Sri Lanka time).
SINGHA Thailand Sevens 2015 will take place at the SCG Stadium, Muangthong Thani on September 26 and 27.