Medal contest heats up at Asian Games

The semi-finals are confirmed in the men’s competition after a pulsating day of action at the Asian Games in Jakarta.

Japan, Sri Lanka, Korea and Hong Kong will compete for the three medals on offer after four enthralling quarter-finals on the second day of competition.

Defending gold medallists Japan beat Chinese Taipei 43-0 in the first quarter-final thanks to a second half hat-trick from Dai Ozawa.

The Sri Lanka Tuskers set up their semi-final with Japan after a 17-12 win over China before Korea beat Malaysia 40-5 and Hong Kong scored 52 unanswered points against Thailand, including two tries each for Jamie Hood and Max Denmark.

Japan maintained their 100% record in the pool stages with a 31-0 win over Chinese Taipei, while Hong Kong and Korea also won all three of their pool matches.

Jeongmin Jang, who impressed in this year’s Asia Rugby Championship, scored four tries in Korea’s 51-0 win over the UAE, with Lee Jones dotting down twice as Hong Kong overcame Thailand 36-7 as they both won all three of their pool matches also.

The biggest cheer of the day, however, went to Nanda Siregar, the Indonesian captain scoring their one and only try in a 39-5 defeat to Malaysia.

 Asian Games in Jakarta rugby event day two results

Quarter finals

Japan 43-0 Chinese Taipei
Sri Lanka 17-12 China
Korea 40-5 Malaysia
Hong Kong 52-0 Thailand

9-12 ranking
Afghanistan 50-0 UAE
Indonesia 5-21 Pakistan

Pool stages
China 53-0 Pakistan
Hong Kong 36-7 Thailand
Malaysia 239-5 Indonesia
Japan 31-0 Chinese Taipei
Sri Lanka 36-0 Afghanistan
Korea 51-0 UAE