男子隊亞運衛冕成功奪金，女子隊贏泰國摘銅

MEN SUCCESSFULLY DEFEND ASIAN GAMES TITLE TO WIN GOLD, WOMEN BEAT THAILAND TO CLAIM BRONZE

[2023.9.27]「杭州第19屆亞運七人欖球決賽」傳來喜訊，中國香港男子七人欖球隊在準決賽加時達陣，擊敗日本晉級，隨後於決賽以14-7戰勝韓國，成功衛冕。香港女子隊同樣帶來捷報， 於季軍賽以7-5險勝泰國，獲得首枚亞運獎牌。

男子隊加時贏日本躋身決賽

今早，中國香港男子隊在準決賽中，提前上演了「2018雅加達亞運金牌戰」的翻版大戰，面對宿敵日本。甫開賽，雙方於中場即展開激烈的控球爭奪，難以攻入對方22米區域。直到上半場臨近完結，港隊的右路終被突破，日本先拔頭籌，並射入附加射門，港隊以0-7落後。

易邊再戰，港隊堅持穩打穩紮，惟數次進攻均被化解，終於比賽時間將至時，日本隊過高攔截吃下一記黃牌下場，港隊便抓緊少打一人的機會，猛烈進攻。蔡紀駿（James CHRISTIE）接應薛貝特（Liam HERBERT）的卸球（offload）助攻達陣，韋兆新（Russell Webb）命中附加射門，取得關鍵2分，港隊追至7-7，比賽加時。在加時期間，爆發力出眾的丹馬克（Max Denmark）終於覓得良機，擺脫2名防守隊員後直搗黃龍，絕殺對手。

力壓韓國成功衛冕

港隊晉級決賽，面對韓國。兩方一度拉鋸，未有進賬，直至上半場結束前，港隊抓住機會，由李卡度的達陣打破僵局。下半場開場不久，杜薛迪（Liam Doherty）為港隊取得個達陣。領先的港隊力爭入球，韋兆新（Russell Webb）操之過急，領下黃牌。少打一人的韓國迅速扳回一盲達陣，幸而港隊死守至恢復至7人滿員，其後港隊再度取得主動，將領先優勢保持至最後，終以14-7順利奪金，蟬聯亞運會冠軍。

女子隊險勝泰國首奪亞運獎牌

中國香港女隊在銅牌賽面對泰國。開場後港隊一度掌控球權，惟對方防守嚴密，難覓得分機會。經過一輪僵持，莊嘉欣抓緊對手越位（offside）而獲得罰踢（penalty）機會，趁對手立足未穩，伺機突破，為港隊拿下首陣。隨後泰國展開反擊，並一度突破港隊陣線，但港隊防守頑強，並未讓對手完成觸地得分。半場港隊以7-0領先。

換邊後，對手從左側突破達陣，但未能命中附加射門。此後，港隊加強防守，使得對手失誤不斷。最終港隊7-5守住勝利成績，獲得女子隊在亞運會七人欖球賽上的首枚獎牌。

女子金牌戰中，中國女隊以22-21險勝日本，獲得金牌。而日本男子隊21-19則戰勝中國，贏得銅牌。

The 19th Asian Games Rugby Sevens saw a remarkable display of skill and determination as the Hong Kong, China Men's Rugby Sevens Team successfully retained their title and clinched the prestigious gold medal. In an exhilarating semi-final match, the team showcased their resilience by defeating Japan in extra time. securing their place in the final. The men later faced off against South Korea in the final, emerged victorious with a 14-7 win.

The Hong Kong, China Women's Sevens team took bronze after a 7-5 nail-biter against Thailand to claim their first-ever Asian Games medal.

Men beat Japan in a semi-final sudden-death extra time thriller

Hong Kong, China Men's Team staged a rematch of the '2018 Jakarta Asian Games Gold Medal Match' in the semi-finals against their arch-rivals, Japan. As soon as the match began, both teams engaged in an intense battle for possession in the midfield, finding it challenging to enter the opponent's 22-meter area. Only towards the end of the first half did Japan manage to break through the right flank of the Hong Kong, China team, securing the lead with a successful conversion kick and leaving Hong Kong, China trailing at 0-7.

In the second half, the Hong Kong, China men adhered to a solid and steady approach, but their several attempts were thwarted. Finally, as the match time was drawing to a close, Japan received a yellow card for a high tackle, leaving them a player short. Seizing this opportunity, Hong Kong, China launched an aggressive attack, with James Christie scoring a try in response to an offload from Liam Herbert and Russell Webb executing a successful conversion kick, securing the crucial 2 points. Hong Kong, China pulled back to a 7-7 tie, pushing the match into overtime. During extra time, Max Denmark, showcasing his explosive speed, found the perfect opportunity to break away. Eluding two defenders, he secured the decisive try against the opponents, ensuring victory for Hong Kong, China.

“We are really pleased with the win, the boys showed some real character to get through a very tough game. We knew this was going to be a huge game as soon as we saw the draw. The coaches have done a great job in preparing the squad for this game,”said Sevens Head coach Paul John.

Advancing to the final, Hong Kong, China faced off against South Korea. The match saw a tug-of-war between the two sides, with neither scoring until just before the end of the first half, when Hong Kong, China seized an opportunity and broke the deadlock with a try by Cado Lee Ka To. Shortly after the start of the second half, Liam Doherty secured another try for Hong Kong, China. With a lead in hand, Hong Kong, China was eager to score again, but in his haste, Russell Webb received a yellow card. South Korea, with a one-man advantage, quickly scored a try to make a comeback. Fortunately, Hong Kong, China held firm until they were back to their full complement of seven players. Regaining control, Hong Kong, China maintained their lead until the end, ultimately winning the gold with a 14-7 victory and successfully defending their Asian Games championship.

Women win their historical first Asian Games medal

The Hong Kong, China Women's team faced Thailand in the bronze medal match. After the start tHong Kong, China maintained possession for a while, but the tight defense from their opponents made scoring opportunities scarce. After a period of stalemate, Chong Ka Yan capitalized on a penalty opportunity arising from an opponent's offside, making a breakthrough and scoring the first try for Hong Kong, China. Thailand responded with a counterattack and at one point broke through the defensive line of Hong Kong, China. However, the steadfast defense of our women held firm, thwarting Thailand from achieving a try. The Hong Kong, China team concluded the first half with a 7-0 lead.

In the second half, Thailand managed to score a try from the left flank but failed to land the subsequent conversion kick. After that, the Hong Kong, China team tightened their defense, leading to continuous mistakes by the opposing team. In the end, Hong Kong, China clinched a 7-5 victory, earning the Women's team their first medal in Rugby Sevens at the Asian Games.

In the Women's gold medal match, the China Women narrowly triumphed over Japan with a score of 22-21, securing the gold medal. Meanwhile, Japan Men defeated China 21-19 to take home bronze.

“I am absolutely delighted for our men’s and women’s teams, and hugely proud - they are a credit to Hong Kong, and deserve all the success in the world. It’s been an excellent Asian Games, thanks to all the organisers, and of course to the Hong Kong Sports Institute for all their invaluable support’” said Robbie McRobbie, CEO of Hong Kong China Rugby.

Information source : Hong Kong China Rugby

Photo source : Asia Rugby