The USA is in the Bowl semis after somehow beating Japan 14-12 in the Bowl Quarterfinals on Day Two of the Dubai 7s.

 

The Eagles fell behind 12-0 to Japan thanks to some penalties and turnovers - the second Japan try came with Danny Barrett in the sin-bin.

 

But the Eagles started to come back in the second half. After enduring a couple of minutes of defense, the USA got the ball back and started to work it downfield. After some Japan penalties the USA pushed their way through some desperate Japan tackling, and Maka Unufe took the final pass form Carlin Isles to cut back and round in under the posts. That was an impressive run as he had to avoid two tacklers in-goal to make sure the conversion attempt was an easy one for Madison Hughes.

 

Hughes kicked the extras and it was 12-7 Japan.

 

For the restart, Folau Niua kicked very high, and Japan dropped it. The ball went right to USA hands and out to Barrett, who fended off a couple and offloaded. Japan was in from the side on the next ruck, and after a series of little passes from Martin Iosefo, Isles, and Andrew Durutalo, Niua bulled over under the posts. Hughes kicked the conversion and the USA led 14-12.

 

Japan had one more shot, but after making it to halfway, dropped the ball and the game was essentially over. It wasn't pretty at all for the USA, but they are in the Bowl against France.

 

USA 14

Tries: Unufe, Niua

Convs: Hughes 2

 

Japan 12

 

 

Notes: Zach Test did not play and is still doubtful after rolling his ankle on Friday. Head Coach Mike Friday said he is "tough and go."

 

Friday also said he felt his speedsters, especially Perry Baker, were not getting the ball in space. He mentioned some of the USA players were not using the fast guys out wide. 

 

"Another learning curve for us is the discipline to know when to compete [in the rucks] and how," added Friday. "We need to continue to compete but leave it to tackler plus one and no more, so we do not honey pot."

 

That would be, gather at the ruck like bees to a honey pot.

 

"At times we do not recognize that the opportunity is lost and just spread, and at other times we commit too many when there is no need," he added. "Recognition in the breakdown is a work in progress. Once we get this right we will be a very difficult team to play against."

 

Friday added that he was interested to see the level of desire and resilience in his team Saturday after a disappointing Friday.

 

"Work ethic," he said, "is a state of mind."