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.