SERDANG – The Malaysia national rugby team suffered a heavy defeat against Hong Kong, scoring 6-70 in the Asia Rugby Championship held at Stadium UPM here today.
Despite the significant loss, the spirit and determination of the Malaysian players were evident throughout the match.
Speaking to Scoop, national 15s squad head coach Mohd Farid Syazwan attributed the defeat to the stark physical differences between the two teams.
“Before the match against Hong Kong, we were fully aware of the physical attributes of their team, and the differences were quite evident.
“I told our players not to let our physical shortcomings prevent us from showcasing our abilities.
“Today, despite our weaknesses, the heart to represent the nation is clear. I am proud of the players who fought tirelessly, even though we lost by a considerable margin,” said Farid.
Reflecting on the preparation and the physical advantage of Hong Kong’s players, squad captain Mohamad Nasharuddin acknowledged that Malaysia could have done better but noted Hong Kong’s significant physical advantage.
He expressed pride in his teammates’ perseverance.
“Alhamdulillah, we managed to finish the 80 minutes without giving up. It is very gratifying, despite the high margin score.
“I am very thankful that there were no serious injuries because we have one more match against UAE.”
Despite the defeat, Nasharuddin saw improvements in the team’s performance.
“The quality of our game has significantly improved compared to our match against South Korea.
“Even though we conceded try after try, we continued to defend. I am very proud of my teammates,” he added.
The match saw Hong Kong take an early lead, with Alex Post scoring the first try, converted by Glyn Hughes, making it 0-7.
Malaysia’s first points came from a penalty by Lee James Chapman, narrowing the score to 3-7.
However, Hong Kong’s relentless offence quickly extended their lead. By halftime, the score was already 3-42 in favour of Hong Kong.
The second half saw continued dominance from Hong Kong. Despite a brief respite with another penalty from Chapman making it 6-49, Hong Kong’s Matteo Avitabile and Jamie Pincott added more tries, pushing the final score to 6-70.
Malaysia will play their next and final game against the United Arab Emirates on June 21 at the Sevens Stadium, UAE.
The team remains hopeful and determined to end the tournament on a positive note, focusing on lessons learned and areas for improvement. – June 8, 2024
