Sri Lanka-China clash in curtain raiser of Singer Rugby Asiad
Ranjeeva SENEVIRATNE
The most spectacular event in the Asian rugby calendar the Singer
Rugby Asiad kicks off today at the CR and FC grounds, Longden Place and
Royal College Sports Complex.
The Minister of Sports and Recreation Gamini Lokuge will declare open
the games during a colourful opening ceremony at the CR and FC grounds
at 3.40 p.m. which will be followed by the curtain-raiser of the
tournament between host nation Sri Lanka and China at 4.00 p.m. while
Asia’s fourth ranked team Kazakhstan will confront Thailand at the Royal
College Sports Complex also at 4.00 p.m.
It should turn out to be a battle between the formidable Kazakhstan
and Sri Lanka for the cup championship in the absence of Asian
heavyweights Japan, Korea and Hong Kong and fifth ranked Arabian Gulf.
Sri Lanka has a well balanced team with a powerful set of forwards
and a fine set of three quarters and they should have no difficulty in
beating China if they play to their potential, said Sri Lanka Coach Rob
Yule.
“We have some superb forwards in Galgamuwa, Bandara, Jayasinghe,
Lewke, Bisthamin, Karthelis, Mohamed and Senthil Kumar who should
outplay the Chinese in the loose and should also obtain plenty of
possession from the line outs having four jumpers in Bandara, Jayasinghe,
Bisthamin and Karthelis while in the set scrums Senthil Kumar should get
the better of his Chinese opposite number,” said Rob Yule.
He said that the three quarters should make the maximum use of the
‘good ball’ that comes their way by running the ball at every
opportunity.’
We have an effective halves combination in Amjad Buksh and Fazil
Marija while on the wings the experienced duo of Sanjeeva Jayasinghe and
Lakala Perera should test the Chinese defence to the hilt with their
power-packed runs.
It is upto the two centres Avantha Hettiarachchi and Lasintha de
Costa to slice through the Chinese defence and send out the ball to the
wings.
“It is a golden opportunity for centre Hettiarachchi and the other
four newcomers to show their prowess and the experience gained by
playing in this match should stand them in good stead during the
tournament, said Yule.
China’s coach Zhong Hong Jun said that China will be fielding a young
side for today’s match. Most of the senior players have hung up their
boots and we are fielding mostly players from the universities. They
played in a Tri-nation Youth Tournament involving Japan, Korea and China
recently. The Chinese team will be led by full back Zhang Zhi Qiang.
“Although we are fielding a fresher-laden side we are confident of
giving Sri Lanka a run for their money,” said Jun.
Last year Sri Lanka beat China by 30 points to nil in a World Cup
Qualifying match at the same venue.
The teams:
Sri Lanka - Jeewa Galgamuwa (Captain), Senthil Kumar, Shamil Mohamed,
Senaka Bandara, Sumedha Jayasinghe, Imran Bisthamin, Ashen Karthelis,
Dushanth Lewke, Amjad Buksh and Fazil Marija, Sanjeeva Jayasinghe,
Aventha Hettiarachchi, Lasintha de Costa, Lakala Perera, Radhika
Hettiarachchi.
China - Wang Ji Po, Li Ting Jiang, Shi Tong, Hwang Zheo Ming, Liu
Guan Jun, Chou Ke Lei, Li Jia Lin, Zhu Pei Hou, Yu Hui and Jiang Yu
Ming, Duan Ren, Du Peng Fei, Wang Chong Yi, Zhu Jing, Zhang Zhi Qiang
(captain).
Meanwhile Qatar has indicated to the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union
of their inability to take part in the Singer Rugby Asiad with Qatar’s
last minute withdrawal India, Pakistan and the minnows of Asian rugby
Iran will vie for the Shield Championship.
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