Kenya 7s booked a semi-final spot in the ongoing Dubai Challenger Series after a hard-fought 21-19 victory over Japan on Saturday evening.

Both Japan and Kenya, who faced the same fate after both were relegated from the World 7s last term, aimed for a win in the quarters to boost their hope of progressing to the top four.

Eventually, it was the East Africans who managed the much-needed victory, and the win came after they had suffered their first loss in Dubai after a defeat to Germany.

Meanwhile, it was Japan that scored first when Kippei Tanikana managed an unconverted try for a 5-0 lead.

Kenyans fought back and managed to score through Nygel Amaitsa and an eventual conversion by Anthony Omondi.

The 7-5 lead for Kenya did not last long as the Far East nation responded with an attack that gave them a 12-7 lead courtesy of Yoshihiro Noguchi, who landed a try

Shujaa were not undone by Japan's resurgence, as they went on to register a try for a 14-12 lead before a conversion by Omondi.

Kenya stretched the lead to 21-12 following a third try from Odongo and an accompanying successful conversion.

Japan kept fighting, and their fight gave them a try that was scored by Takamasa Maruo, which reduced the Kenyan gap to 21-19.

Shujaa will know their semi-final opponent when a winner emerges in the Tonga-Uruguay contest.