Japan's women joined their men's team in winning the Asian Sevens title in Hong Kong on Sunday to secure the top place among the region's qualifying teams for next year's Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai.
Thailand were the surprise package, upsetting favourites Kazakhstan before losing to the Japanese in the final to qualify along with third-placed China, who also beat Kazakhstan.
Dubai 2009 marks the first ever Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens and nine teams were competing for the three slots open to Asian teams next March.
Kazakhstan and China were expected to meet in the final but instead Japan and Thailand upset the formbook, Japan edging Kazakhstan 5–0 in their semi and Thailand beating China 14–7 in an equally tough last four match.
Japan won a tight women's final 17-12 and in the crucial play-off for the third qualifying spot China beat Kazakhstan 17-5 to join Japan and Thailand in the 16-team draw.
Full Asian results
Day one
Japan 27-0 Chinese Taipei
China 40-0 Sri Lanka
Kazakhstan 20-0 Singapore
Thailand 24-5 Chinese Taipei
Arabian Gulf 27-17 Sri Lanka
Hong Kong 12-5 Singapore
Japan 10-12 Thailand
China 52-7 Arabian Gulf
Kazakhstan 10-5 Hong Kong
Day two
Sri Lanka 41-0 HK Womens Ba Bas
Arabian Gulf 17-7 Singapore
Hong Kong 31-0 Chinese Taipei
Kazakhstan 0-5 Japan
Thailand 14-7 China
Sri Lanka 47-0 HKRFU Chairman's Select
Singapore 29-5 Chinese Taipei
Arabian Gulf 0-12 Hong Kong
3rd Place Playoff: Kazakhstan 5-17 China
FINAL: Japan 17-12 Thailand
