Japanese spoil early Chinese celebrations

photos courtesy of www.nanjing2013.org
19 August 2013

The Nanjing heat finally gave way to some brief heavy showers in the afternoon which provided some relief for the teams.

Based on the performances of the past two days, any punter would have been hard-pressed to bet against the Japanese who had swept all their games so far. Japan had elected to bring just 10 players and would be down to 9 after Yuko Ito sustained a knee injury on day two of the tournament. Failing fatigue, they would likely steamroll their way past Hong Kong and to the finals for the coverted gold medal. China, also favoured to make the finals would have to get past the Thais who could probably match them for speed but not physicality.

Japan dominated the match against Hong Kong from the start taking just under a minute to score two tries through the prolific Fukushima Wasana and Sakurai Ayono. Oyokawa Yuki was nearly in for a third Japanese try through an intercept but was stopped before the posts. Ayono got on the score board again after her own chip chase whilst Hong Kong struggled to get create any breaks and rarely left their half. Oyokawa Yuki made it four to Japan right before half-time to put Japan up 26-0.


If Hong Kong had hoped for some respite in the second half, Japan had other ideas even after rolling on their three substitutes. Despite having more possession, Hong Kong appeared overwhelmed by the Japanese defence which resulted several handling errors. Japan closed out the game with another four tries through Bativakalolo Raichieryumiyo, Yamamoto Minori and Niijara Hibiki bringing the final score to 48-0.

The second semi final was to be a much closer affair. Skipper, Liu Xiaoqian and Wang Tingting crossed the line in the first half but a resolute Thai defence kept the game at 10-0 for most of the match. Thailand's lack of support on the line breaks prevented them from finishing a two opportunities and the physicality of the Chinese girls forced the Thais into committing number to the breakdown. Liu was to cross again just before the final whistle to make it 17-0 to China.

The bronze medal match, delayed by half an hour of heavy rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of the spectators and Hong Kong delighted the partisan crowd with a performance they had promised all tournament but had not quite delivered. All three of Hong Kong's tries came in the first half from Eleanor Nagn and Rachel Fong crossing twice. Thailand were again found over-committed to the ruck and a single try from Phongsai Pimwipa came late in the second half but it was too little to late for the bronze medal.

The much anticipated final had the crowd on its feet, not less because of the significance of the recent history between the two countries which is still very much a living memory for the generation that survived. The Nanjing Massacre Museum is listed as one of the must sees in Nanjing and most cab drivers will direct you there with a running commentary of how the city was devastated.

Much to the elation of the home crowd, China came out strongly in the first half. Japan seemed subdued and it looked like the shortage on their bench was going to cost them as they conceded possession and penalties. A sterling individual effort by captain Liu with a half field break saw the hosts up 7-0 in the fourth minute and Lu Hewen added another just as the whistle went for the half.

However, the pleasure of the Chinese supporters was shortlived as the second half was all Japan. Captain Minori led the charge as the Japanese stayed patient and probed. The Chinese defence crumbled through indiscipline and their attack seemed flurried. Ugawa Shiho found a half gap and crossed first for the Japanese. The second try was to follow from Raichieryumiyo, a beneficiary of the Japanese charge down of China's kick in their own twenty two. When Minori made a clever cross field kick for Ugawa Shiho who had a Chinese defender on her back. The referee had to call time to confirm the try with the in-goal and assistant referees but when she did, it seemed the gold medal was destined for Japanese soil. Running out of ideas and space, the Chinese kicked again without purpose and this time it was Wasana that dotted down for her team with less than two minutes to run.

At the whistle, Japan celebrated a win that was probably all the more significant because it was probably the first time they had been challenged in the tournament and they had come through with the gold.

Day 3 Scores

Semifinal 1:  Japan v Hong Kong 48-0
Semifinal 2:  China v Thailand 17-0
3rd - 4th: Hong Kong v Thailand 21-5
Finals: Japan v China 28-14

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