Malaysia reigned supreme in the Asia Rugby Under-18 Championships which ended at the EduCity Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru on Sunday.
It was a masterful display by Malaysia in the seven-nation tournament as the hosts took the title with a 100 percent record including against defending champions Hong Kong. The other teams were China, South Korea, Qatar, Laos and Uzbekistan.
For the record Malaysia surprised Hong Kong 31-15, South Korea 47-5 and Laos with a whopping 53-0 score in their first three matches on Saturday.
On the final day Malaysia faced a tough run against the Chinese but eventually came off 19-17 winners in a hard fought match, which further boosted their confidence. In the next two matches the Malaysians did not concede any point as they romped to a 34-0 win over Qatar followed by a 40-0 win whitewash of Uzbekistan – a last minute entry to the Asian meet.
China finished first runners-up while Hong Kong ended up as second runners-up although both teams finished with 15 points each but separated by score difference.
The Koreans finished third runners-up followed by Qatar in fourth place, Laos in fifth place and Uzbekistan sixth.
For Malaysia it was “hard work” that paid off under the National Rugby Development Programme which is to “raise the standard” of the game in the country as Malaysia aims to be one of the best rugby playing nations in this region.
Coach Baharuddin Mahani was one happy man with Malaysia’s success.
“The players worked hard and this success is testament to what is being done under NRPD and we can expect better things to come in Malaysian rugby,” said Baharudin.
The win in the Asia Rugby Under-18 Championships comes in the wake of Malaysia finishing a creditable second at the Paris World Games in the Under-18 category. This was in July.
Meanwhile in the Johor 7s Men’s for the Johor 7s Cup the champions were Serdang Angels from Selangor while Iskandar Raiders from Johor finished runners-up.
Hanelang 7s from Terengganu won the Plate final while AST Hyenas from Selangor finished runners-up. Southern Gomen from Johor were the Bowl champions with Wildcats as runners-up.
Singapore outfit Black Listed from Singapore won the Iskandar Investment Bhd Cup by finishing champions in the Johor 7s Women’s with Selangor’s Cobra Venom as runners-up. RIZAL ABDULLAHÂ
RESULTS
Asia Rugby Under-18 Boy’s 7s
Champions: Malaysia
1st Runners-up: China
2nd Runners-up: Hong Kong
3rd Runners-up: South Korea
4th Runners-up: Qatar
5th Runners-up: Laos
6th Runners-up: Uzbekistan
Johor 7s – Men (Johor 7s Cup)
Champions: Serdang Angels (Selangor)
Runners-up: Iskandar Raiders (Johor)
Plate
Champions: Hanelang 7s (Terengganu)
Runners-up: AST Hyenas (Selangor)
Bowl
Champions: Southern Gomen (Johor)
Runners-up: Wildcats (Johor)
Johor 7s – Women (Iskandar Investment Bhd Cup
Champions: Black Listed (Singapore)
Runners-up: Cobra Venom (Selangor)
Plate
Champions: Sabah Warriors (Sabah)
Runners-up: UPM Angels (Selangor)
