Japan won one and lost won after the first two rounds of pool matches at the Hong Kong Sevens, while the hosts suffered two narrow defeats.
In similar fashion to the women, the qualification tournament will see one side qualify for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series on day two.
Japan opened with a 26-10 win against Georgia with captain Dai Ozawa opening the proceedings before Katsuyuki Sakai, Jose Seru and a lovely finish from Siosifa Lisala ensured the victory.
Kazuhiro Goya got Japan off to a flyer in their second match against Chile, but they went into half-time trailing 12-5 to the surprise of the crowd.
A nervy looking Japan scored first in the second half after Chile had knocked the ball on and from the resulting scrum Josefa Lilidamu, fresh from the bench, powered over the line to bring them within two points. But Chile struck once more to inflict a 19-10 defeat on Japan.
They face Uganda in their final pool match on Saturday.
Heartbreak for Hong Kong
In a pulsating final qualifying pool match of the day Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea went head-to-head with both sides looking for their first win of the day.
Yiu Kam Shing scored his second of the day to give the hosts a 7-5 lead, but Papua New Guinea scored back-to-back tries from Henry Kalua and Gairo Kapana late on in the first half.
“Let’s make some tackles boys,” was the call from Paul John at half time. “This is not good enough. You have to do this. This is a game we have to win.”
Cado Lee was the beneficiary of a great run fro Kam Shing early in the second half, before Ben Neville came close before being held up. From the resulting scrum, Hong Kong were penalised for coming in at the side, giving Papua New Guinea a chance to draw breath.
With three minutes left on the clock Papua New Guinea were reduced to six men, with the hosts taking full advantage. Max Denmark broke through a number of tackles, leaving Michael Coverdale the job of dotting down to regain the lead.
But, out on their feet, it was yet more heartbreak for Hong Kong as Arthur Clement stormed to the try line from within his own 22, converting his owen effort to record a dramatic 22-21 win.
Earlier, tries from Jamie Hood and Kam Shing were not enough for Hong Kong in their opening match as they lost 14-12 to Germany, the side they lost to in the quarter-finals last year.
In their final match Hong Kong face Zimbabwe.
Japan 26-10 Georgia in their first pool match at the #HK7s
Hong Kong up next….. pic.twitter.com/bo1QiqP5bi
— Asia Rugby (@asiarugby) April 6, 2018
