KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia got off to a losing start in gloomy conditions in the Asia Rugby Under-19 Championship at Padang Astaka in Petaling Jaya today.
The national squad succumbed 43-9 to a better organised and fitter Hong Kong.
Hong Kong got on the scoresheet through tries from Tanner Holland, Oscar Green, Callum Fitzhenry, Camill Cheung and Nicholas Stevenson, and a penalty from Cooper Wnek.
Malaysia scored three penalties via Ahmad Aliff Husaini Ariff but did not get any tries.
National team captain Tajuddin Muhamad said they were not able to execute their game plan.
"We made a lot of mistakes, things which we had practised and done well in training just did not work out the same in the game today," said Tajuddin who was close to tears when interviewed.
"We believed in ourselves and had the confidence that we could beat Hong Kong but it was just not our day.
"I am still proud of my teammates who fought hard till the end. The commitment they showed was right up there.
"We will come back stronger against Taiwan (on Thursday). We will make changes and possibly bring in some different players (into starting lineup)."
Coach Irwan Abdol admitted that his team's mistakes were punished by Hong Kong and they were unable to gain enough possession.