Realistic chance for a medal
national men’s rugby sevens squad aim to do better than their ninth placing from the 2014 Incheon Asian Games at the upcoming Indonesia edition.
Malaysia Rugby Union (MRU) believe their team have the pedigree to match Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong, and return with at least a bronze medal.
The national body have been working hard to churn out players with potential through various programmes. Last year, the team did well in the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games by winning the title.
They also performed decently in April at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, although they failed to win a match in their group, comprising South Africa, Scotland and Papua New Guinea.
MRU are expected to pick 11 players who played in last year’s Sea Games for the challenge in the Asian Games. There are 18 trainees currently in the squad.
Malaysia are expected to join defending champions and World No 11 Japan in the quarter-finals from Group B, also comprising Taiwan and hosts Indonesia.
Team manager Zyuraidi Abdul Majid said: “The players are eager to shine in Indonesia.
“We have an improved squad thanks to our various initiatives in developing quality players. MRU have set a medal target and I think we have a realistic chance of achieving it,” he said.
Malaysia’s best finish in the Asian Games was fifth at the 2010 Guangzhou edition.
Japan have been dominant with three gold, followed by South Korea with two titles since rugby sevens was introduced at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur edition.