Sri Lanka bounced back from a disappointing run on the final day of the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Sevens Series opening leg, defeating Malaysia 36-5 to secure seventh place in Suzhou, China, yesterday.
After defeats to Japan and Thailand had ended their hopes of a higher finish, Sri Lanka produced their most convincing performance of the day when it mattered most, overwhelming Malaysia with six tries in an attacking display full of pace and purpose.
Sri Lanka dominated from the opening whistle and established a commanding 17-0 lead by half-time. Kavindu Perera and Gayan Perera crossed the line before Naveen Marasinghe added another try, giving the Sri Lankans a comfortable advantage at the interval.
Captain Srinath Sooriyabandara then joined the scoring parade after the break, followed by Akash Madusanka and Shaahid Zumri as Sri Lanka continued to exploit gaps in the Malaysian defence.
Zumri successfully converted two tries, while Sooriyabandara added another conversion to complete an emphatic 36-point haul.
Malaysia, who struggled to cope with Sri Lanka’s attacking intensity during the opening period, finally got on the scoreboard through Wan Azley Wan Omar, but it proved little more than consolation as Sri Lanka comfortably closed out the contest.
The seventh-place finish came after a difficult start to the final day.
Sri Lanka’s Cup quarter-final hopes were ended by Japan, who produced a disciplined defensive performance to record a 17-0 victory. The Japanese defence frustrated Sri Lanka throughout the contest, preventing the islanders from registering a single point.
That defeat sent Sri Lanka into the fifth-to-eighth-place classification matches, where they encountered Thailand.
Despite a determined effort, Sri Lanka were unable to overcome the Thais, eventually losing 29-19 in an entertaining, high-scoring encounter. The result meant Thailand advanced to the fifth-place playoff, while Sri Lanka were left to fight Malaysia for seventh position.
Sri Lanka responded emphatically in that final match, putting the earlier setbacks behind them to finish the tournament on a positive note.
Elsewhere, Japan and Hong Kong China booked their places in the Cup final with impressive semi-final victories. Hong Kong China produced a dominant 26-0 win over Korea, while Japan continued their strong run by defeating China 36-5.
Thailand, meanwhile, completed their campaign with a 17-14 victory over the UAE in the fifth-place playoff.
For Sri Lanka, the seventh-place finish will be viewed as a mixed result, but the commanding victory over Malaysia offered encouragement after a challenging final day. The team’s attacking performance in the playoff also provided valuable momentum as they look ahead to the next leg of the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Sevens Series.
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