Hong Kong absorbing Asian Series hammer blow before National Games medal assault
Women’s sevens head coach Andy Vilk tells players to embrace disappointment of cruel defeat, then focus on blockbuster Kai Tak Stadium event
Andy Vilk has said his Hong Kong players would take time to absorb the hammer blow of missing HSBC SVNS 3 qualification before gathering themselves for an assault on National Games glory.
On Sunday, the city women’s team lost a make-or-break Asia Rugby Sevens Series third-place play-off 10-5 against Thailand in Sri Lanka.
Hong Kong finished level on points with the Thais after the two-leg series, but their opponents advanced, along with Japan and China, because of their superior head-to-head record. Four matches between the sides yielded two victories each, but Thailand outscored Hong Kong 61-50.
Head coach Vilk praised Thailand’s “very impressive tackling, intent and completion”, and noted that at one point they had five players on the floor because they had given everything to a phase of defence, but he was satisfied that his team had matched their opponents for commitment.
Vilk said it was “important to acknowledge the disappointment, and not push it aside”, ahead of next month’s Games at Kai Tak Stadium.
“We told the players to take a day or two to absorb it, to be frustrated or annoyed, or whichever emotion they were feeling,” Vilk added. “They have to embrace it … and use it to move forward.