Malaysia relegated to Div One in Asian championship

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will be relegated to Division One of the Asian Rugby Championship next year after losing all their four Premier Division matches.

In their last match of the Premier Division, Malaysia, who are ranked 48th in the world, were thrashed 91-10 by world No. 22 Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Football Club yesterday.

It was the worst defeat for Malaysia in the Premier Division, which includes two other teams – Hong Kong and South Korea.

The matches were played on a home and away basis and the top two teams – Hong Kong and South Korea remain in Premier Division while Malaysia were relegated to Division One next year.

In the first two matches played at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Malaysia went down 35-10 to world No. 31 South Korea on April 28.

On May 8, Hong Kong, who were led by mostly expatriates, thrashed Malaysia who were powered by seven naturalised players – six Fijians and one Samoa – 67-8.

In the away match at Namdong Asiad Stadium on May 19, South Korea trounced Malaysia 67-12.

Hong Kong lead the Premier Division standings with three consecutive wins.

They defeated South Korea 31-20 in an away match on May 12.

Hong Kong will wrap up their fixture against South Korea at home on June 2.