UAE Rugby’s performance manager was disappointed not to achieve the top four finish he craved prior to the weekend, but Perelini admitted he was delighted with how his side ended the weekend in Kowloon.
His fledgling team suffered opening day defeats to South Korea and the hosts on Friday but ended the day with a morale-boosting win against Singapore.
The good vibes continued on Saturday as victories against Thailand and Chinese Taipei saw the UAE finish fifth – in what was a watershed moment for the nation’s youngsters.
“The team did very well to finish fifth overall in the championship and winning the Plate final against a very tough Chinese Taipei team,” said Perelini, who took the reins of Emirates rugby last October after Roelof Kotze stood down.
“It is the best finish for UAE in the Asian competitions. We’re the youngest union in all the top Asian competitions, but are making the loudest noise in terms of progress.”
The UAE’s senior side has been competing on the Asian sevens circuit since 2010 but the U-20s are only in their third year of existence.