Men’s rugby 7s team are SE Asian champs for first time

 

Members of Malaysia’s rugby 7s squad with the Southeast Asian championship trophy. (Facebook pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The national men’s seven-a-side rugby team created history when they won the Southeast Asian 7s championships for the first time after defeating Singapore A 14-10 in the final at Singapore’s National Stadium today.

The victory enabled coach Nik Safuan Ismade Nik Man’s men to make amends for missing out on the title in the previous championship, when they lost to Taiwan in the final.

Malaysia and Singapore A took to the field with an unbeaten record after winning all three group matches yesterday.

Malaysia led 7-5 at halftime thanks to a try by Harith Iqbal Anhar and a conversion by Azwan Zuwairi Mat Zizi. Singapore A replied with a try by Miguel William.

Ahmad Zulhilmi Azizad then scored another try for Malaysia which Azwan again converted to put Malaysia 14-5 up.

Tene Chong scored a late try for Singapore A but Malaysia held on to win 14-10.

Nik Safuan praised his men’s gallant effort, saying that even he was surprised by their spirited performance despite their short training period.

“Our focus after this is to prepare for the Asia Rugby Sevens series in September and November. We will make further plans based on whether or not rugby will be included in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games,” he said.

In the women’s category, Malaysia took the bronze by thrashing Indonesia 38-5 in the third-placing match as Thailand retained the women’s title by trouncing Singapore 42-0. - FMT