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Marija urges SL to ‘stick to strengths’ for Asian Games Medal

Coach Fazil Marija believed that Sri Lanka has a good chance of winning a medal if they play to their strength at the 20th Asian Games Men’s Sevens Rugby Tournament, which begins on October 1 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

“Number one is we have to play as a team and should play to our strengths and we need to focus more on attack than defence. If we can fix those areas we have a very good chance of winning a medal,” Marija told the Sunday Observer.

Marija also said that Sri Lanka will move into the tournament game-by-game and will not hesitate to change the combination against different opponents.

“Still we have no idea of the combination that will play in the tournament. We have already tried out a few combinations at practices. Game-by-game we need to change the combinations as well.” Marija said.

“I want to bring a medal for Sri Lanka. As a player I couldn’t do that but as a coach I know these players are capable of doing that. Hopefully, we can win a medal this time.”

“We can’t play a physical game with the other teams. We have to be more careful of how we play. We just have to play to our strength. We need to take the ball and just run. We are a fit side.”

The Sri Lanka Sevens Squad: Srinath Sooriyabandara (Captain), Diluksha Dange, Akash Madusanka, Chathura Soysa, Gayan Perera, Dinal Ekanayake, Jayathu Rajarathna, Janindu Dilshan, Shaahid Zumri, Kavidu Perera, Pasindu Bandara, Devinda Rathnayake and Gemunu Chethiya.

Sri Lanka fixtures

(Group ‘C’)

October 1: vs Philippines and vs Singapore.

October 2: vs United Arab Emirates.

October 3: Quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.