First blood to Japan in Asian 7s
With the delayed Asian Games in September, the Asian 7s series is just has just two rounds this year – and Japan have set the pace by taking the opening round in Incheon, Korea.
Published by John Birch, August 27th, 2023
2 minute read
There have been 22 Asian 7s tournaments in the past 10 years, and 17 of those the final has been Japan v China, including every tournament since 2019. Japan have played in 21 of those finals.
So, a final between the two teams in Incheon this weekend was no surprise.
If anything, the gap between these two powerhouses of Asian 7s and the rest – lead by Hong Kong, Thailand and Kazakhstan – has grown. This weekend no opponent got within two tries of the leading two.
So it all came down to the final, which was as close as could be expected, Japan only winning the game from the final play.
The final round is not due to take place until the middle of October – 14th-15th– in Bangkok.
Results
Pool A: Hong Kong 17-0 Kazakhstan; China 48-0 Singapore; Hong Kong 39-0 Singapore; China 17-5 Kazakhstan; Kazakhstan 15-0 Singapore; China 24-7 Hong Kong
Pool B: Thailand 36-12 Philippines; Japan 61-0 Malaysia; Thailand 46-10 Malaysia; Japan 41-7 Philippines; Philippines 22-17 Malaysia; Japan 33-12 Thailand
5th-8th Place Semi Finals: Kazakhstan 39-0 Malaysia; Singapore 10-5 Philippines
Semi-Finals: China 12-0 Thailand; Hong Kong 7-27 Japan
7th Place: Malaysia 10-26 Philippines
5th Place: Kazakhstan 32-5 Singapore
3rd Place: Thailand 22-14 Hong Kong
Final: China 12-14 Japan