KUALA LUMPUR: National rugby sevens Under-20 coach Syed Shazril Syed Mahadzir is optimistic his charges can win the Asian Under-20 Championships in the future.
Shazril's players did well to reach the men's final in Nepal on Sunday before going down to regional heavyweights Hong Kong 19-14.
Malaysia had beaten Taiwan 21-12 in the semi-finals. In the group stage, they lost their opening match to Hong Kong 26-5 but beat India (27-7) and Nepal (44-0).
"The players gave it their best. We prepared well for the tournament and the friendly matches we played against the Bunga Raya sevens (senior) squad as well as the Singapore Sevens team in the run up to the tournament had a positive impact on the boys.
"We made a slow start and lost to Hong Kong, but we came back strong and made it to the final to improve on our showing last year.
"We have to wait a little longer (before they can titles). If they are given international exposure, anything is possible."
Malaysia had finished third when the competition was held in Uzbekistan last year.
Shazril is a teacher and rugby coach at Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (TMISS) in Johor.
The school was given the responsibility of preparing the national junior squad for the competition this year.
"For this year's team, we included six Under-19 players (who will be eligible next year).
"If Malaysia Rugby (MR) entrust us with preparing the squad again next year, we will continue to field our Under-19 squad in local competitions to prepare them."
Malaysia has not won the Asia Under-20 sevens title since winning it back to back under the guidance of former TMISS headmaster Wan Ibrahim Wan Chik in 2011 and 2012.
Wan Ibrahim, a former national senior squad coach, has since retired but remains a revered figure in Malaysian rugby.