A bridge too far? Not for Arabian Gulf
Beating Japan in Tokyo may be mission impossible, but Bruce's boys fancy their chances
Dubai : The fire burns brightly in the Arabian Gulf side, especially after their first ever HSBC Asian Five Nations victory over Hong Kong.
The loss against Kazakhstan in the first match notwithstanding, coach Bruce Birtwistle and captain Michael Cox-Hill believe they can still make it to the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand, albeit with a bit of luck and by playing out of their skins.
Speaking to XPRESS ahead of their departure to Tokyo to play their formidable opponents this weekend, Birtwistle said: "We have to be realistic about our chances. It is a huge task for our players.
"Japan are the strongest side we have faced with their ranking of 13 - around 30 places above us.
"But if everybody plays to their potential, we can give Japan a fight. Anything is possible."
Both coach and captain are, however, under no illusions as to what they have to do. "Fitness and stamina will be the key against Japan. We'll have to be more creative and show more composure in attack and in breaking down attacks," Birtwistle said.
Cox-Hill added: "We were good defensively against Hong Kong and we need to maintain our defensive structure. We can't afford any lapse in concentration. We have to keep possession for as long as we can and then look to capitalise on the rare opportunities that come our way."
The duo are willing the team to put up a good fight against Japan and hoping other results go their way as they look to seal the second spot and ensure a four-team play-off in Uruguay for the 20th and last spot.
"If we run Japan close and then win with a bonus point against Korea, we might just make it," Cox-Hill said.
Making it to Uruguay itself will be a big deal for the Arabian Gulf side, which will eventually be disbanded at the end of the year.
"We are playing towards that and thereafter we have the sevens after which it will be back to club rugby and a new structure. Fact is we had great camaraderie within the Arabian Gulf side which is the main reason for our good performances. Don't know how things will be next year," the Dubai Exiles player said.
