KUALA LUMPUR: The national squad will have to win at least one match in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) this season, which begins tomorrow, if they are to avoid relegation from the Asian top flight.
The Bunga Raya squad opens against South Korea at the Namdong Stadium tomorrow and will later play Hong Kong at the Universiti Putra Malaysia Stadium in Serdang on June 8.
Malaysia will face newly promoted United Arab Emirates in their final match at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai on June 21 in the round-robin format competition.
Malaysia Rugby (MR) honorary secretary Fahmy Jalil confirmed that the last placed team will be relegated to Division One next year.
Despite finishing in last place every season since their top flight debut in 2018, Malaysia was not relegated due to various factors.
"Asia Rugby (AR) have confirmed that the last placed team will be relegated this year as the Division One tournament is up and running again," said Fahmy today.
"Sri Lanka won this year's Division One (last month) so they will be promoted next year. Initially we anticipated that the relegation fight this season will be between us and UAE.
"UAE, however, have brought five to six (naturalised) Fijians in their squad this year, so they could be stronger than we first anticipated.
"Regardless, our target this year is to show improvement in our matches against the two big teams, South Korea and Hong Kong."
Malaysia has only named one naturalised player, England-born Lee Chapman, in their 23-man squad. Veteran flyhalf Fairuz AB Rahman, 39, has been named team captain.
National team head coach Farid Syazwan Abu Bakar is determined to see his charges claim their first win in the competition.
"The players are in a positive mood and are excited to start playing. We are hoping that everything we have planned will go smoothly," said Farid after the captain's run in Incheon today.
"I hope the players will remain 100 per cent focused and be able to execute well. We want to achieve our first win in ARC."
Malaysia has never won a match in the ARC top flight before.