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RUGBY: Olympic bid on track

CONFIDENT: Under-20 team's success in Johor Baru raises hopes of qualifying for Brazil 2016

Rugby
A Malaysia player brings down his Hong Kong opponent in the Asian Under-20 Sevens final on Sunday in Johor Baru.

MALAYSIA'S bid to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil looks on track with the Under-20 rugby side's successful defence of their Asian Under-20 Sevens title in Johor Baru recently.

National Under-20 coach Saizul Hafifi Mohd Noor, who was assistant to Wan Ibrahim Wan Chik last year, said the team showed maturity at the tournament this year despite the squad featuring mostly new players.

"The tournament was really a lot tougher this year with a lot of new teams who were all top quality sides and not second-stringers," said Saizul Hafifi, himself a former national player.

"When we first saw the draw, it was quite daunting for me as we were in a very tough group with China, Japan, Philippines and Singapore but I am proud that the boys showed no fear whatsoever.

"The team really grew from strength to strength with each match at the tournament and were quick to adapt to tactical changes that I had pointed out to them which is a good sign of their level of maturity.
"This year, only five of the players who competed last year were included in the squad due to age restrictions, but despite their young age (new players) it did not stop them from producing the results when it mattered."

Saizul Hafifi said he believed qualifying for the 2016 Olympics, where Rugby Sevens will be included in the Games for the first time, will be within realistic reach if the core of the squad are maintained and further groomed.

"For the boys to emerge unbeaten and defend their title amid such quality, shows the potential they have and I hope it will help raise more awareness about the sport.

"I am confident that if the core of the team are given the proper guidance and support needed, they will certainly be capable of qualifying for the Olympics as the teams they will meet in qualifying will be basically the same sides that we met in Johor."

Malaysia had edged Hong Kong 26-22 in a repeat of last year's final to clinch the title for a second year running. They had also created history in the group stages by becoming the first ever Malaysian side to win against Japan, either at junior or senior level in both sevens and 15s, with a hard fought 17-14 victory.

Five players from the squad will compete at the World University Championships in Brive, France on July 11-13 where they will face some of the top rugby-playing nations in the world. The five are Zulkifli Azmi, Ameer Nasrun, Anwarul Hafiz, Nik Mohd Shahidan and Nazreen Fitri Nasruddin.

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