Coach Gareth Baber issues rallying cry as Hong Kong go for gold
Coach says city's in-form sevens team have the nous to get past South Korea in the semis and then arch-rivals Japan in likely final encounter
Hong Kong's rugby sevens team are going to have to do it the hard way if they are to get their hands on Asian Games gold - but they insist they're ready.
First, Jamie Hood and his team will have to overcome hosts South Korea and a partisan crowd in the semi-finals, before a likely meeting with nemesis Japan. They are, with Hong Kong, the top three teams in Asia.
The mood in the camp is good and we are ready. Just two games away from the gold
"The mood in the camp is good and we are ready. Just two games away from the gold," said Tom McQueen after Hong Kong stormed past China and the Philippines in their final group game and quarter-final on Tuesday.
The message from coach Gareth Baber? Bring it on.
"We are there to be shot at," he said. "Everyone has picked up their intensity against us and are coming hard at us, and that is a mark of respect for us. But we are battle-hardened and pleased to be in the semi-finals."
Hong Kong entered the Games having won both opening legs of the Asian Sevens Series, defeating South Korea in the first and Japan in the second. But they haven't played both teams in the same tournament.
