Sri Lanka in must-win encounter against UAE on 4 July

Thursday, 26 June 2025 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025 has entered its decisive phase, with four nations – Hong Kong China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Sri Lanka – vying for the coveted direct qualification spot to the Rugby World Cup 2027.

Hong Kong are currently leading, winning both their games, with South Korea is at number two with one win over Sri Lanka, while the UAE are third with one win over South Korea. Sri Lanka are yet to win a single game. Hong Kong look firm as the favoured team for the Australia berth in 2 years’ time.

In Round 1, Hong Kong dismantled the UAE 43/10 in Dubai, capitalising on slick ball movement and a dominant line-out platform to build an early lead and never look back. A week later, at the Kai Tak Stadium, they delivered a masterclass against Sri Lanka, racking up 12 tries in a 78/7 rout that showed both their attacking flair and defensive intensity.

Meanwhile, the UAE have shown they can spring surprises. After a solid opening loss to Hong Kong, they claimed a stunning 38/36 win over South Korea in Incheon, displaying resolute defence and opportunistic counter-attacks to overturn the odds.

Sri Lanka returned to the Top 4 for the first time since 2014 following a dominant playoff win over Malaysia in April, heralding a new chapter for the Sri Lankans in Asia’s elite tier. Their campaign opened with a narrow 34/38 defeat to South Korea in Colombo, a match in which they fought back from a 15-point deficit to nearly snatching victory. They came so close but they were yet so far; in the end searching for their very first win in a XV-a-side against South Korea continues for yet another year.

However, the Hong Kong reverse left Sri Lanka reeling. Conceding 78 points exposed defensive frailties they must rectify before their must-win showdown against the UAE in Colombo on 4 July.

A loss in the UAE fixture would relegate Sri Lanka to a playoff against the Division 1 champions, likely Malaysia, placing their World Cup aspirations in jeopardy. Conversely, a victory would keep them in contention for the direct Asia Top 4 spot in 2026 as well.

With home advantage and the passionate Colombo crowd behind them, Sri Lanka must summon resilience and discipline to thwart the UAE’s momentum. Their ability to control possession, shore up the breakdown, and execute under pressure will determine their future. Sadly, the Sri Lanka outfit is minus several leading players pulled out due to injury as they are after a long season. Mainly, their weakness was in the forward’s lack of experienced players.

The Sri Lankan outfit is coached by New Zealander Rodney Gibbs, with Dushanth Lewke handling the forwards while Lasintha De Costa is looking after the backs. Meanwhile, experienced Rohan Chinthaka is the Team Manager of the outfit.

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