Sri Lanka went down to Japan 10-12 in the semi finals of the rugby Sevens at the Asian Games in Indonesia yesterday.
Sri Lanka took a shock 5-0 lead over Japan when Kavindu Perera barged over for an unconverted try. But Japan replied through Hashino Kosuke with a try which they failed to convert as did Sri Lanka.
However Sri Lanka took the lead (10-5) once again when skipper Sudarshana Muthuthanthri scored a timely try but the conversion was missed by Srinath Sooriyabandara.
On the stroke of half time Japan hit back again and scored through Katsuyuki Sakai who eventually scored his team’s match-winning try that was converted.
The second half was a stalemate without scoring as Japan clung onto their slender lead to win the contest and move into the final for a possible gold.
Danushka Ranjan made some desperate runs to score but encountered a solid Japanese defence.
Sri Lanka will now play against South Korea for the bronze medal today with kick-off scheduled for 6.45 pm Sri Lanka time.