Korea claims second spot in Asia on Final Weekend of Asian Five Nations Top 5
May 24, 2008

The inaugural year of the HSBC Asian Five Nations (HSBC A5N) Series Top 5 competition came to an exciting close today with matches in Hong Kong and Almaty, Kazakhstan.

In Hong Kong, Korea and the hosts battled for bragging rights as the second placed team in Asia after Japan’s runaway series championship last weekend at home in Niigata. Japan were crowned the first ever A5N champions after their undefeated run through the tournament, picking up a perfect 20 points from four wins plus four bonus points for scoring four or more tries in each match.

South Korea clinched the number two slot in Asia today with a thumping 50-24 victory over Hong Kong. A polished display from the Koreans saw them score six sweeping tries to finish second in the A5N behind Japan.

Korea led 35-7 at half-time, and had sealed their win in an opening burst when they scored 24 unanswered points in the first 13 minutes, including three tries which left their hosts shell-shocked.

Korean captain and prop Kim Kwang Mo said his team had been motivated by a surprise loss to Hong Kong last year: “We were shocked to lose last year and that was our motivation today. We wanted to avenge that defeat and as the scoreline shows, we have done that,” said Kim.

Korean centre Kim Sung Soo grabbed a brace while winger Kim Hyun Woo, full-back Chae Jae Young, hooker Kim Tae Hyung and prop Heo Woong also got on the score-sheet. Fly-half Hong Jun Ki kicked 15 points including a drop-goal, two penalties and three conversions while substitute Oh Youn Hyung knocked over a penalty and a conversion.

Hong Kong coach John Walters blamed his side’s defeat on the slow start, saying, “We missed three tackles and that cost us 24 points. We didn’t touch the ball in the first half. Our poor start cost us hugely and it was hard to play catch-up rugby.”

Hong Kong captain Semi Iafeta also laid the blame on the slow start. He said: “We have to take the blame for our poor start. We didn’t respect the ball and they made us pay big time.”

Hong Kong’s solitary try in the first half came courtesy of centre Simon Hempel who shrugged off two tacklers to score by the posts and reduce the early deficit to 24-7. Hong Kong’s hopes of a comeback were quickly dispelled by the Koreans who dominated at the set piece and breakdown.

Hong Kong’s best passage of play came in the final quarter, when they ran in three more tries with replacements Kenzo Pannell, Simon Leung and Jon Abel all touching down.

The victory enabled Korea to finish in second place in the Asian Five Nations standings with 18 points. Hong Kong finished third with 11 points. In the other game, late on Saturday, Kazakhstan was due to host the Arabian Gulf in a battle to decide which team drops down from the elite division into Division One next year.

ENDS

Media Enquiries please contact:
Sean Patrick Moore
Tournament Operations Manager
HSBC Asian Five Nations 2008
Tel: +852 9095 8889