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Malaysia beats China to advance to 2010 Division I Tournament

Malaysia booked its place in the 2010 HSBC Asian Five Nations Division I tournament after a comprehensive 43-15 victory over an under strength China in today's final of the HSBC Asian Five Nations Division II Tournament played at the UiTM Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In the 3rd/4th place play-off match India outclassed Pakistan 44-3 to maintain its position in Division II while Pakistan will be relegated to next year's Division III competition. Despite conceding 34 places on the IRB World Rankings to the Chinese the Malaysians (ranked 78th) pulled out a comprehensive victory over a China team (ranked 44th) that entered the tournament with only 19 players.

The Chinese gave it their all, defending manfully, and even managed to get on the board first after a strong attacking effort from the opening kick-off saw fullback Zhun Chen cross the line. The conversion from scrumhalf Bo Zhou brought the score to 7-nil.

But the Malaysians seemed to want the win more than their opposition and replied automatically crossing over for their own try through Fijian centre Nacani Seniu, who picked up a brace today, in the third minute. Malaysian flyhalf Mohammad Faiz Shamsukidir had a man of the match worthy performance starting with his easy conversion of the opening try to level the scores at 7-all.

Later in the first half Malaysian indiscipline led to a penalty that Bo converted to bring the score to 10-7 China. Again the Malaysians replied well as another slashing run from flyhalf Faiz opened up the defence and allowed the home side to get behind China's defence. The play was capped with a beautiful no-look pass from Faiz to Seniu who raced through for his second try of the first half; the conversion brought the score to 14-10 Malaysia.

Another momentary lapse of concentration saw Malaysia concede a yellow card in the 42nd minute which led to a final Chinese try of the first half, edging the visitors ahead 15-14 as the halftime hooter sounded. Fatigue set in amongst the Chinese in the second half as the floodgates started to open, helpfully pried apart by the three Fijians in the Malaysian backline: Seniu, outside centre Timoci Nacokula and winger Semi Seruvakula Sovunidakua.

For the second consecutive match all three Fijian backline players for Malaysia entered the scoring lists with Nacokula and Sovunidakua crossing the line in the 68th and 79th minute respectively. Despite the customary offensive fireworks from the Fijians, fly half Mohammad Faiz stole the show with his 13 points with the boot and a series of scything runs that softened the defence and allowed his teammates space to make repeated forays that further sapped the strength of the Chinese.

Malaysia scored 29 unanswered points in the second half to run out worthy winners in a result that is sure to see their IRB ranking rise. Malaysia will now join Singapore (this year's relegated Top 5 team), Chinese Taipei and Sri Lanka in next year's Division I Tournament. China will remain at Division II level alongside Thailand (relegated from the 2009 Division I competition), India and the winner of the Division III Tournament to be played amongst the Philippines, Guam, Iran and Indonesia in Manila in early July.

Scoring:
Malaysia 43
Tries: Nacani Seniu (2), Sarizan Yasir, Timoci Nacokula, Lee Wei Ming, Semi Seruvakuala Sovunidakua
Conversions: Mohammad Faiz Shamsukidir (5)
Penalties: Mohammad Faiz Shamsukidir

China: 15
Tries: Zhun Chen, Peihou Zhu
Conversions: Bo Zhou
Penalties: Bo Zhou

H/T Score: China 15 - 14 Malaysia

In today's 3rd/4th place play-off India ran away with the match over Pakistan winning 44 - 3 in a game played in scorching conditions. India continued its strong run throughout the Division II Tournament and was unlucky not to reach the final after being seeded against the champions Malaysia in the opening round.

Despite the impressive scoreline the game was a fairly tight affair with India scoring four of its five tries through the tight five after an opening try from Parvinder Singh, a brace from hooker Hemant Kumar and a final first half score from lock Surinder Singh. India's other two tries were scored by inside centre and captain Nasser Hussain and outside centre Bikash Jena.

Under a new coaching team of Norman Laker and Hendre Marnitz, India performed solidly against its first round opposition and can now look forward to a titanic clash against China in the 2010 Division II tournament, a match that will represent one third of the world's population facing off on the rugby pitch for the first time ever in a test match.

While disappointed at being relegated to Division III, Pakistan can takes solace in having successfully introduced six new caps into its match day 22 and in narrowing the gap on its sub-continent rival after losing 92-0 to India in last year's Division II competition held in Bangkok.

Scoring:
India: 44
Tries: Parvinder Singh, Hemant Kumar (2), Surinder Singh, Nasser Hussain, Bikash Jena
Conversions: Rohaan Sethna (4)
Penalties: Rohaan Sethna (2)

Pakistan: 3
Penalties: Mannan Naseem

H/T Score:
25-3

England's top try scorer Rory Underwood, himself of Anglo-Malaysian ethnicity, attended this year's Division II and was impressed by today's matches saying:

"It was a great day with some very strong support from the crowd and it was great to be back in a rugby environment in Asia. I am really delighted to see that the game continues to grow in Asia, particularly through the influence of the HSBC Asian Five Nations."

"You could clearly see the intensity of all of the teams as Pakistan and India had a tense battle to see who would stay up in Division II. In the final, Malaysia put on a cracking display. I must be their good luck charm as they have won both times that I have watched them. I will have to attend next year's Division I tournament to cheer them on as they continue their way to the Top 5."

"I am also excited to see some of the native talent in Asia, just today I have seen a few players with the physique and ability to have a go in the Leicester Academy set-up and I will be reporting back to our scouts in Welford Park. I look forward to having a chance to return to visit the Asian Five Nations next year."

Still to come in the HSBC Asian Five Nations is the Uzbekistan Regional Tournament in Tashkent featuring Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and the Division III tournament in Manila (match days July 1 and 4).

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