South ⁣Korea’s National⁤ Men’s Rugby Sevens Team Places​ Fourth in ARSS

The Korea Rugby Association announced ‍that the South⁤ Korean ⁢national‌ men’s rugby sevens team placed ‌4th‌ in the 2nd round of the ⁤’2024 ⁣ARSS’ competition held‍ at ‌Hangzhou Normal‍ University in Hangzhou, China.

The team, consisting⁢ of the domestic professional team ‘OK Jjakman Rugby Team’, won⁣ against⁢ Thailand (19-0) in⁢ the Group A preliminary round ⁣on the first day of the competition. However, they lost to Singapore (12-26)⁣ and Hong ⁢Kong (0-27), but advanced to the ‍main competition by finishing in second place in⁣ the ​final group with a goal difference.

In the ‍semifinals,⁣ Korea lost to‌ Japan 12-35⁣ in a fierce battle. They faced China in the ⁤3rd and 4th‍ place⁣ match, but lost 0-38 and finished in 4th ​place.

ARSS⁤ Competition and‍ Rankings

ARSS is held three times a year as the top 7s international tournament in Asia, where the⁢ overall rankings are‍ contested,​ and⁣ the right to advance ⁣to the ‘World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series’ is at stake.

Points​ are awarded according to ranking in each of the 1st to 3rd competitions, with‌ 12 ​points for the ⁤winning team, 10 points for the runner-up, 8⁣ points for the 3rd⁣ place, and 6 points for the 4th‍ place.

The Korean ⁣national team ⁣continued its competition for the top spots by taking ⁣4th place in the first ‌and second competitions, and recording a total of​ 14 points, placing them in ‍4th place following Hong​ Kong (24 points), Japan (18 points), and China‌ (18 points).

Coach⁢ and Chairman’s ‌Comments

Head coach Lee ⁣Myung-keun said, “The second competition was an important ⁤competition that provided many challenges and opportunities for our players,” and added, “I saw ​potential thanks to the players giving their all until the end, and regardless of the outcome of the game, we⁢ will use the experience gained through ⁤this competition as nutrients for growth and​ show an ‍even better performance in the upcoming‌ third competition.”

Korea Rugby Association Chairman Choi Yoon said, ​”I send⁢ my gratitude and applause to the OK Rugby Team players who did their ⁤best⁢ without giving up and without losing their sense​ of mission to represent Korean rugby ⁣in the second competition as a single team.”

Future Competitions and Goals

Chairman Choi Yoon continued, “The⁢ 24th executive ​committee will spare no​ support in strengthening the national ⁤team and preparing for the⁣ competition so that our players can finish the remaining⁣ three ​competitions with ⁢no⁣ regrets.”

He added, “Furthermore, in order to achieve the⁣ wish of advancing to ⁣the Rugby World Cup, which was not possible with the 15-a-side tournament, unlike the 7-a-side tournament, we will⁤ not let our ‌guard down​ and will do our⁤ utmost to prepare for the ‘2025 Asian ‍Rugby Championship,’⁣ which will determine the right to ‍advance to the ‘2027⁤ Rugby 15-a-side⁣ World Cup.'”