KUALA LUMPUR: The national rugby 15s showed improvement but it was not enough to stop them from losing 62-19 to United Arab Emirates yesterday in their final Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) match this season.
UAE, playing at home at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai, piled on the pressure from the opening whistle and found themselves with a comfortable 40-12 lead at half time.
Despite some mistakes, UAE were never really threatened in the second half. They managed to extend their lead and clinch their second win of the season.
UAE, who shocked South Korea in the second week of the competition, scored their tries through Sakiusa Naisau (three), Emosi Vecanua (two), Tobias Oakeley (two), Chris McKee, Justin Walsh and Riaan Bernard with Justin Gavin converting six of them.
Malaysia's tries were scored by Syarif Nurhidayat Muzhaimey, captain Nasharuddin Ismail and Henry Christian Preston, two of which were converted by Lee Chapman.
England-born Preston, whose grandmother is Sarawakian, was making his international debut for Malaysia.
As anticipated, the defeat means Malaysia concludes the four-nation tournament in last place and will be relegated to playing in the ARC Division One competition next year.
The Bunga Raya squad had lost to South Korea (55-5) and Hong Kong (70-6) in their first two matches.
Defending champions Hong Kong will face South Korea at the Hong Kong Football Club Stadium today in a match which will decide the winners of the Asian top-tier competition.