Sri Lanka Rugby 7s Eye Medal Success at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games-BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE
Sri Lanka’s Rugby Union 7’s aspirations will be tested in Japan as they strive to make an impression in the Asian Games in Aichi Nagoya in Japan.
Sri Lanka’s reputation in Sevens rugby is highly respected and their aim will be to make an all out effort for medal success against powerhouses Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and China.
They are in Group C alongside UAE, Philippines and Singapore and should advance to the quarter finals where the real test begins.
Veteran Sevens player Srinath Sooriyabandara leads Sri Lanka in their quest for success, and if their plans fall in place, it would be the platform to make it to the prestigious World Sevens program.
Sri Lanka open their campaign against Philippines on October 1 at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium. Kick off is at 7.35 a.m.
The rugby 7s program for the games are as listed below.
Aichi Nagoya Asia Games 2026
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In Nagoya, Japan
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Rugby 7s – Men’s Schedule and Draw
Dates – Thu 01st to Sat 03rd October 2026
Group – A
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01) Hong Kong 
02) China 
03) Malaysia 
04) Uzbekistan 
Group – B
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01) Japan 
Host
02) Thailand 
03) South Korea 
04) Kazakhstan 
Group – C
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01) Sri Lanka 
02) UAE 
03) Singapore 
04) Philippines 
Sri Lanka Matches
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Thu 01st Oct
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06) Sri Lanka vs Philippines at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, K/O 7.35 am
16) Sri Lanka vs Singapore at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, K/O 1.50 pm
Fri 02nd Oct
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26) Sri Lanka vs UAE at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, K/O 7.35 am
Top two teams and two best 3rd Place finishing teams from each group qualify for quarter finals
Playoff Semi Finals 9th – 12th Place based on Rankings
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RK9 vs. RK12
RK10 vs. RK11
Quarter Finals
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33) 1st Pool A vs 2nd best 3rd Place, K/O 10.55 am, in case we finish 2nd best 3rd place overall, We could face Hong Kong China
34) 2nd Pool B vs 2nd Pool C, K/O 11.20 am, if we finish 2nd in our pool, most likely we could face Korea
35) 1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool A, K/O 11.45 am – Potential If we finish top of our pool, most likely to play China
36) Best 3rd Place vs. 1st Pool B, K/O 12.10 pm, in case we finish 3rd best team overall, We could face Asian Gaints Japan
Sat 03rd Oct
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Playoff 11th – 12th – Losers of Playoff 09th – 12th Places
Playoff 9th – 10th – Winners of Playoff 09th – 12th Places
Playoff Semi Finals 5th – 8th – Losers of Quarter Finals
Loser QF1 vs. Loser QF2
Loser QF3 vs Loser QF4
Semi Finals
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Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2
Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4
Playoff Final
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7th to 8th Places
Playoff Final
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5th to 6th Places
Bronze Medal
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3rd to 4th Places
Gold Medal
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1st to 2nd Places
Given Times in Local (SLT)
Compiled by Spencer Leon – Rugby Statsman 
