Sri Lanka Men secure podium finish as Japan and Hong Kong China clinch series crowns

Sri Lanka came agonizingly close to making history in the Cup Semi Final, narrowly going down to Japan by just three points. The Tuskers began the final day with a comprehensive win over China and ended it on a high, defeating the same opposition once again to secure third place in the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025 second leg held at the Racecourse Stadium.

In the Women’s competition, Japan clinched both the Cup title and the overall series championship, while the Hong Kong, China outfit triumphed in the Men’s Cup Final and also sealed the overall series crown.

• Sri Lanka Men’s team finish fourth in China
• Asia’s Best Set to Clash in Colombo at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series Finale
• Tuskers Aim High at Home: Men Target Podium Finish, Women Seek to Step Up in Colombo
• Tuskers Deliver Solid Wins; Women’s Team Hit Hard by Tough Opponents 

Game 03 – Sri Lanka Vs China

Janindu Dilshan and Dinka Ekanayake combined brilliantly to slice through the Chinese defense and open up space for Srinath Sooriyabandara, who stepped past the last defender to score the opening try. (SL 05 – 00 CHN)

China hit back when Zhiwen Yi powered over from a five-meter scrum, finishing off a well-executed move before converting his own try to give his side the lead. (SL 05 – 07 CHN)

Sri Lanka kept up the pressure, continuously probing for gaps in the defense, and just before the break, Janindu Dilshan produced a brilliant inside step to create space and dive over under the posts. Sooriyabandara added the extras as the hosts regained the lead. (SL 12 – 07 CHN)

The second half began with Sri Lanka continuing their momentum. Dinal Ekanayake won a penalty, took a quick tap, and sent the ball to Akash Madushanka, who delivered a long cut-out pass to the corner for Gayan Perera to score. (SL 17 – 07 CHN)

Things got even better for the hosts when Suranga Tennakoon chipped over the defense and chased through, only to be tackled illegally by Chong Ma. The referee awarded a penalty try and showed Ma a yellow card. (SL 24 – 07 CHN)

Dinal Ekanayake then sealed the game in the final minute, showing blistering pace to outstrip the Chinese defenders and touch down in the corner for Sri Lanka’s fifth try. (SL 29 – 07 CHN)

In the closing move of the match, the Tuskers executed a textbook attacking play, spreading the ball wide once again for Ekanayake to complete his brace and secure a commanding victory for the hosts.

Full Time – Sri Lanka 34 – 07 China 

Cup Semi Finals – Sri Lanka Vs Japan

The hosts managed to keep the Japanese side at bay with solid defense and some brilliant counter-attacking play. The Tuskers spread the ball wide to Skipper Kavindu Perera, who beat the last defender to score the opening try. (SL 05 – 00 JPN)

Japan responded almost immediately from a scrum, moving the ball quickly through the hands to Shotaro Tsuoka, who went over untouched in the corner to level the scores at Half Time. (SL 05 – 05 JPN)

Sri Lanka began the second half on a positive note, displaying excellent teamwork and patience in attack. After several phases of play, Diluksha Dange spotted space on the short side and dived over for a well-deserved try, with Suranga Tennakoon adding the conversion. (SL 12 – 05 JPN)

However, with the Tuskers reduced to six men following a yellow card to Gayan Perera, Japan capitalized as Shotaro Tsuoka crossed twice in quick succession — both times in the corner — to complete his hat-trick and put his side ahead. (SL 12-15 JPN)

Sri Lanka had one final opportunity in attack, but an unfortunate knock-on denied them what could have been a historic victory. Despite the narrow defeat, the Tuskers can hold their heads high after a spirited and courageous performance against a formidable Japanese outfit.

Full Time – Sri Lanka 12 – 15 Japan 

3^rd Place Final – Sri Lanka Vs China

The hosts got off to a perfect start in the third-place playoff, spreading the ball wide to the experienced campaigner Srinath Sooriyabandara, whose blistering pace proved too much for the Chinese defense as he raced over under the posts and converted his own try. (SL 07-00 CHN)

China replied just before Half Time from a scrum, stringing together a series of quick short passes to send Yangyang Fan over under the posts, with Chong Ma adding the extras to level the scores at the break. (SL 07 – 07 CHN)

The second half began in ideal fashion for the Tuskers. After a series of strong carries, they worked the short side brilliantly, with a sharp pass from Heshan Jansen allowing Diluksha Dange to dive over for their second try. (SL 12 – 07 CHN)

With the game still hanging in the balance, Sri Lanka maintained possession deep inside their red zone, and some quick thinking from Jansen saw him thread a clever grubber kick behind the defense. The lightning-fast Darshana Dabare collected it cleanly and darted over under the posts, with Suranga Tennakoon slotting the conversion. (SL 19 – 07 CHN)

China managed a consolation try in the final play through Zhiwen Yi, but the hosts held firm to claim a well-deserved victory – improving from a fourth-place finish in China to third in their home leg.

Full Time – Sri Lanka 19 – 14 China 

Women’s Cup Final

In the Women’s Final, Japan got the better of the Chinese outfit, taking a 5–0 lead at Half Time through a try from Chiaki Saegusa.

In the second half, Japan extended their dominance with four more tries from Mei Ohtani, Honoka Tsutsumi, Hana Nagata, and Sakurako Yazaki to clinch the Women’s title with a commanding 29 – 0 victory. Remarkably, Japan did not concede a single point throughout the Colombo leg, securing both the Cup title and the overall series championship.

Full Time – Japan 29 – 00 China 

Men’s Cup Final

The final commenced under worsening conditions with a heavy downpour, but Hong Kong China opened the scoring with a superb try as Harry Sayers powered through a couple of defenders. Julien Bourron converted the try to make it a perfect seven. The score remained 7 – 0 at the break.

The second half became a stop-start affair, remaining scoreless for six minutes, before Japan made a breakthrough through Naoya Ogita in the corner. Haruhiko Uemura then landed a pressure kick from the corner to equalize, sending the game into extra time.

In extra time, Hong Kong China earned a penalty, and try-scorer Harry Sayers took a quick tap and sent the ball to Max Denmark, who went over in the corner to clinch the Cup title and secure the overall series championship.

Full Time – Hong Kong China 12 – 07 Japan

Sri Lanka Women’s Games

The Sri Lanka Women’s Team was unfortunate to miss out on the 9^th place Final after falling to Malaysia in a close tussle, losing 24 – 19 in the 9^th place Semi Final. The tries for Sri Lanka came from Dilki Sathsarani, Sandika Hemakumari, and Shanika Madumali.

However, the team finished on a positive note in the 11^th place playoff, securing their first win of the tournament with a commanding 38 – 10 victory over Indonesia. Sandika Hemakumari starred with a hat-trick, while Sanjeewani Wijethilaka, Charani Liyanage and Dilki Sathsarani also added tries for Sri Lanka.

Results of Day 02

Overall Standings

Men’s

Women’s