The UAE’s dreams of promotion to Division I of the Asia Rugby Championship are all but over after they suffered a 20-19 defeat at the hands of hosts Malaysia on Wednesday.
Agonsingly, the width of a post looks like it will mean Roelof Kotze’s men won’t kick off a new era with promotion back to the second tier of Asian rugby.
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Full-back Hassan Al Noobi’s late penalty attempt bounced back off the upright as the UAE suffered defeat in the crunch clash with Malaysia at the Stadium Petaling Jaya in Kuala Lumpur.
Defeat was largely all their own doing as the UAE gave up an 11-point lead in the second half.
Dejected players couldn’t mask their disappointment following the defeat, which now makes bouncing back from last year’s relegation an uphill task.
Tough day at the office! Lost our test match 20-19 to Malaysia! Had our chances, that is international sports! #UAERF #Hoyamal
— ROELOF KOTZE (@coachroelof) May 13, 2015
Best for UAE on the day were Jaen Botes (2) and Ed Lewlsey, both of whom crossed the line for tries.
The UAE face Chinese Taipei in their final Division II game on Saturday while Malaysia will play Thailand who fell to successive defeats, beaten 29-24 by Taipei.
Skipper Adam Telford admitted it was an opportunity the UAE let slip through their fingers.
“The game was ours for the taking and we are all extremely gutted to have let it slip through our grasp. They were a strong side but it was a game we should have won,” said the Jebel Ali Dragons forward.
“We will pick ourselves up for the final game with the aim to finish strongly with a win and, with Thailand still in the mix, we hope they can do us a favour against Malaysia.”
