The United Arab Emirates are already eying bigger and better things after they confirmed at least a top eight finish at the second leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Thailand.
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Roelof Kotze’s men got off to a flyer by beating the Philippines 12-7 in Bangkok.
They went on to lose 33-10 to South Korea in their second Pool C match, but the Koreans’ 42-7 trouncing of the Philippines in the final group game meant the UAE finished second and will play in today’s Cup quarter-finals, guaranteeing them a finish within the top eight teams.
Their path to glory will be tough though, with Kotze’s charges drawn against Asia’s top ranked team Japan in the last eight, who scored 87 points and conceded just five in Pool A wins against Singapore (33- 5) and Kazakhstan (54-0).
UAE captain Niall Statham, however, says they have nothing to fear in their encounter with the men from the Land of the Rising Sun.
“It was great to have achieved our target of the top eight but we constantly re-evaluate and the goal is now top six,” said the Jebel Ali Dragons flanker.
“We’re not content with the top eight as a best ever finish, it’s now our minimum expectation.”
Abu Dhabi Harlequins winger Chris Marshall has taken to life at international level like a duck to water since making his UAE debut in the opening leg of the Series in China at the beginning of the month, and the 25-year-old added another try to his tally in the opening game in Thailand against the Philippines.
Returning Dubai Exiles man Charlie Sargent also touched down for the UAE, Sargent’s clubmate Justin Walsh then adding a conversion.
The UAE were outscored five tries to two by the South Koreans in their second match. For the Koreans, Seong Min Jang ran in two scores. Quins winger Adel Al Hendi and Dragons full-back Ryno Fourie were the UAE try scorers.
UAE continue their surprising form on the Asia Rugby Sevens Series dispatching Philippines 12-7 in Thailand in the Pool C opening match.
— HKRU (@HongKongRugby) September 26, 2015
“It’s been a good day,” said 23-year-old Walsh. “We were a little disappointed with the performance against South Korea but in the second half we pulled it together and won the half.”
There were still positives to extract from defeat though and it certainly has not dampened spirits in the UAE camp, with Kotze’s team assured of bettering their Bowl triumph and ninth placed finish overall in Qingdao three weeks ago.
“Although the South Korea loss was disappointing, we outscored them in the second half so we’re carrying self belief into the game against Japan,” said Statham.
“It’s great to test ourselves against a top side in the world. We’re excited to be mixing it with the top teams. We’re obviously a bit disappointed we didn’t get closer to Korea but it gives us a clear vision of where we need to improve.
“Other teams are taking notice of us now and we’re really excited to see jusy how far we can go.”
