The Korean Rugby Association announced that the men's national rugby team, consisting of 15 players, has returned home after winning its first away game against Sri Lanka in the '2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship (Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship, AREC)' on the 16th.
The South Korean rugby national team defeated Sri Lanka 38-34 in the first match of the 2025 AREC held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on the 13th.
The national team made a good start by scoring the first points with a try from Jang Jeong-min during the first half. Afterward, as both teams exchanged attacks, the national team fell behind 14-17 at halftime due to a counterattack and penalties against them. In the second half, despite a fierce contest until the last moments, they maintained their concentration and secured consecutive scores to win by 4 points.
With this victory, Korea secured 5 points in the first match of the AREC, gaining an advantageous position for obtaining direct qualification for the 2027 Australia Rugby World Cup Asian qualifiers. On June 15 at 12:30 a.m. (Korean time), in the match between the UAE and Hong Kong, Hong Kong won 43-10, placing both Korea and Hong Kong in a tie for first place with 5 points each. Sri Lanka is in third place with 2 points, and the UAE is in fourth place with 0 points.
The national team is scheduled to face the UAE at 3 p.m. on the 21st in the second match and will then play the final match against Hong Kong on July 5 at the Incheon Namdong Asian Rugby Stadium. Korea is in a favorable position to play both games at home, and the winning team will qualify for the '2027 Rugby World Cup.'
The national team has been organizing a squad of 23 players since May, receiving financial sponsorship from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee's project, 'Participation in World Championships and Other International Competitions.' They have been focusing on improving tactical completeness and physical fitness.
Lee Myung-geun, the head coach of the national team, noted, 'Thanks to the players maintaining their focus until the end of the match, we were able to finish with a victory,' and added, 'As the remaining matches against the UAE and Hong Kong will be held at home, we will prepare well to ensure all victories.'
Shim Yeong-bok, president of the Korean Rugby Association, said, 'It was a difficult match against Sri Lanka, as we had little experience and played in a hot environment, but thanks to the players enduring together until the end, we achieved a good result.' He also stated, 'As the next matches against the UAE and Hong Kong will be held at home, the support of many rugby fans will be a great help, so we ask for a lot of interest and support.'
[OSEN]