Malaysia’s Hopes of Golden Double Dashed in SEA 7s Tournament
Men’s Team Falls Short
Malaysia’s hopes of a golden double in the Southeast Asia 7s (SEA 7s) tournament were dashed when both the men’s and women’s teams lost in their respective finals at the Singapore National Stadium today. The national men’s team, under the guidance of coach Nik Safuan Ismade Nik Man, came into the tournament as defending champions but were outdone by Thailand 10-5 in the final.
According to Nik Safuan, the team’s lack of fitness was a major factor in their defeat. "We accept the defeat as our team lacked fitness, having only had 19 training sessions during Ramadan, compared to the Thais who have been preparing non-stop since 2023," he said in a statement shared by Malaysia Rugby (MR). However, he considered this a good start for the team as they gear up for the SEA Games in Thailand at the end of the year.
Women’s Team Falls Short
Meanwhile, there was no fairytale ending for the national women’s team after they were beaten 12-5 by hosts Singapore. The national women’s 7s team created history yesterday when they made the final for the first time after six editions by stunning defending champions Thailand 17-12 in the semi-finals.
However, in the final, the women’s team did not repeat their earlier performance, and their opponents shone brighter. "In the final, our opponents shone and we admit we lost to a better side. Still a lot of room for improvement," said national women’s 7s head coach Muhammad Faiz Samsukhidir.
Impact on Upcoming Tournaments
The results of the SEA 7s tournament may have a significant impact on Malaysia’s performance in upcoming tournaments, particularly the SEA Games in Thailand at the end of the year. The men’s team will need to up their fitness levels and training sessions to compete with other top teams in the region.
Conclusion
Malaysia’s rugby 7s teams have shown promise in their performance in the SEA 7s tournament, despite not achieving their goal of a golden double. The teams will need to work on their fitness and training to compete with top teams in the region. The results of the tournament will serve as a learning experience for the teams as they prepare for future competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Who were the winners of the men’s and women’s SEA 7s tournaments?
A: Thailand won the men’s tournament, while Singapore won the women’s tournament. - Q: Why did Malaysia’s men’s team lose in the final?
A: The team lacked fitness due to having only 19 training sessions during Ramadan, compared to Thailand’s non-stop preparation since 2023. - Q: What is Malaysia’s next major tournament after the SEA 7s?
A: The SEA Games in Thailand at the end of the year.