Bihar: The national men’s Under-20 rugby sevens (7s) team’s hopes of reaching the final of the 2025 Asia Rugby U-20 7s Championship were dashed after losing to Hong Kong in the semi-finals in Bihar, India, today. The side, coached by Syed Shazril Syed Mahadzir, had to concede to Hong Kong’s dominance, with the latter scoring 33 points compared to Malaysia’s five, which came from a solitary try by Luqmanul Hakim Ramli. As a result, Malaysia will now play in the third-place playoff against China.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, team manager Dr Muhammad Hazwan Khair expressed the team’s disappointment in a statement shared by Malaysia Rugby (KRM). ‘Of course, we are disappointed not to make it to the final and to be unable to maintain our unbeaten run in this tournament. Against Hong Kong, we were less sharp in executing our game plan. The Hong Kong players made full use of their physical advantage, and we were somewhat drawn into their style of play. The players are aware of the shortcomings that need to be
addressed, and they will give their all to ensure that third place goes to Malaysia,’ he said.

For the record, in the 2023 edition held in Kathmandu, Nepal, Malaysia emerged as runners-up.