Dubai: Japan's rugby coach has vouched to give a fitting account of being the sole representative from Asia when it takes part in the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup in New Zealand later this summer.
"Four years ago we were 19th in the world and now we are 13th. So the time has come for us to continue playing with patience and courage and show the world that Asia is capable of matching the best from across the globe," Japan's coach John Kirwan told media after his team had handed out an 111-0 mauling to the home side.
The late Friday night result assured Japan of a record fourth Asian Five Nations crown as they sit at the top of the standings with 18 points and a match against Sri Lanka still in hand next Saturday. Hong Kong are currently sitting in second place with eleven, chased down by the UAE in third with eight points.
In the driver's seat
Japan were all over the field in the opening few minutes putting them clearly in the driver's seat, thanks to tries from James Arlidge, Go Aruga and Ryan Nicholas.
By the end of half-time, Japan were steaming ahead 57-0 with no slowing down from the opponents in sight.
"We dedicate this win to all the victims of the tsunami in Japan. But next week will truly be a proud moment for us when we lift the trophy after our match against Sri Lanka," Kirwan said.
Japan came to Dubai with a couple of scrappy wins: a 45-22 result against Hong Kong and an emphatic 61-0 mauling of Kazakhstan. But on Friday the Japanese made amends for these transgressions as they rode on four tries from Takehisa Usuzuki complemented by a hat-trick of tries from Ryan Nicholas.
But it was Arlidge who made an impact as he ended up with a personal tally of 29 points, including the opening try of the match.
‘Long way off'
"We've had a very good week here. Our goal tonight was to come up with a complete performance. If you look at our previous two results, you will notice that we were a long way off."
"But now after this match I can vouch that our team attitude is great," Kirwan observed.
"I want Asia to be proud of us. But we still have a lot of work to do," he added.
