Asian Games 2018 - Japan edge Sri Lanka by a whisker

The cup semifinal between Sri Lanka v Japan was an absolute stunner as the defending champions just won by two (2) points. At the half time Japan led 12 - 10 and both teams were unable to score in a robust second half encounter.

Injured Danushka Ranjan made his first start of this tournament whilst captain Sudarshana Muthuthantri also came off the bench with a dislocated wrist. Srinath Sooriyabadara with a fractured nose and Gayan Weerarathne with a bad tummy for the last couple of days. 

Peter Woods opted to start with Srinath Sooriyabandara and Sudam Sooriaracchi in the half back combination leaving Tarinda Ratwatte on the bench. Both were solid in controlling the game and defnese was outstanding with the clear miss-match in front of them.

It was a dream start for the islanders as Japan could not make a 10m kick-off. Tuskers looked menacing from the word go playing to the plan drifting the ball wide of each sides with so much patience. That resulted in finding a hole on the Japanese defense, where Kavindu Perera accelerated on his 6th gear for the firts try at (1.12). Srinath Sooriyabandara missed the conversion from the wide angle.

Japan had few position but Sri Lanka showed an improved rush defense with first up tackles, However, Hashino Kosuke sniped through with his footwork and speed to dot it down at (3.01). Muthuthanthri came off the bench at the 4th minute and scored a brilliant try with courtesy of Ranjan's  first touch. Sooriyabandara missed the wide angle conversion once again which was difficult but found costly at the full time. 

Japanese skipper Sakai Katsuyuki scored at (7.45) was hard fought try and he converted it to go for a two points lead at half time.

HT : SL 10 - 12 JPN

Neither team scored in the second half but it was all Tuskers who had the most of the chances. Reeza Raffaideen, Tarinda Ratwatte and Buddima Piyaratne combination in attack worked so well. Danush Dayan, Gayan Weerarathne lifted the forwards momentum with some valiant defense. 

Japan felt really out of patrol in their tank as the Tuskers made them to work hard in defence and attack. Buddima Piyarathne had one final opportunity even after the hooter, unfortunately he knocked-on after receiving a crispy pass from Ratwatte to Raffaideen. 

However, this semifinal match was originally scheduled at 1.56pm Indonesian time. Due to an appeal on the women's format the timings got delayed by nearly three hours (3hrs). The heat factor would have certainly helped the Tuskers if the game was played according to the schedule. Nevertheless, Tuskers played their hearts out performance by the Tuskers and they will take a lot of positives for the Bronze Medal revenge match against Korea at 6.44pm SL Time.