Sri Lanka underperform at Youth Asian Sevens

Sri Lankan player Lasindu Ishan about to collect the ball  against Malaysia

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka performed below expectation when they were beaten 17-12 by UAE and 33-14 by China but overcame a spirited display from Malaysia (31-14) in the second leg of the Youth Under 20 Asian Sevens tournament, which was worked off at Kings Park in Hong Kong yesterday.

Though much was expected from Sri Lanka, who emerged runners-up in the first leg a week ago in Malaysia to defending champions Hong Kong, they were edged out by last-placed UAE in a nail-biter, which ended 17-12 after a last-minute try from the Middle Eastern team.

Sri Lanka will meet Taipei in one of the quarterfinal encounters at 9:06 a.m. Sri Lankan time today. If they win they will lock horns very likely with Malaysia in the semifinal.

Sri Lanka finished second to Hong Kong in the first leg of the Youth Asian Sevens in Malaysia a week ago.