Sri Lanka fell just short in a dramatic showdown against South Korea in their Asia Rugby Top 4 opener, losing 38-34 in a hard-fought match at the Racecourse ground.
The home side put up a spirited performance — even building a 29-14 lead after quick tries by Lahiru Thilakaratne and Heshan Jensen — but the South Koreans turned things around in the closing stages to claim the win.
At halftime, Sri Lanka held a slim 17-14 advantage, reflecting their aggressive start and well-coordinated attack. The backline was a major driving force, with Dinal Ekanayake, Heshan Jensen, Tarinda Ratwatte, and Mursheed Doray all making a significant impact, adding creativity and pressure on their opponents.
Heshan Jensen was a true live wire, efficiently guiding the team’s forward momentum and organizing their attacks. His combination with Ekanayake and Ratwatte opened up gaps in South Korea’s defenses, yielding scoring opportunities.
The forward pack, meanwhile, was led by Thilina Bandara, whose strong carries kept the team on the front foot, while the youthful Lasindu Karunathilake displayed plenty of potential for future games — although inexperience eventually began to show in the latter stages.
Sri Lanka’s tries were scored by Mursheed Doray, Pasindu Bandara, Lahiru Thilakaratne, Heshan Jensen, and Dinal Ekanayake. Ratwatte successfully converted 3 of the 5 tries and added a solitary penalty.
South Korea’s comeback was powered by their strong bench, with Hyungoo Jang, Jeongwook Hwang, and Yeonsik Jeong adding depth and control under pressure. The South Korean scores came from Jeongmin Jang, Okgi Noh, Seokhwan Jang, Yeonsik Jeong, and Nauk Kim, with Jang adding the crucial conversions.
J.P. Clement officiated the match, ensuring fairness and discipline on both sides.
While defeated, Sri Lanka can be proud of their performance — matching their more experienced opposition for much of the game. With the return of nearly six senior players for their subsequent fixture against Hong Kong on June 22, there’s plenty of hope for a strong comeback in their AR Top 4 campaign.
