Dubai: UAE Rugby Federation CEO Ian Bremner expressed his pride for the national team after their 93-3 defeat at home to Japan on Friday, in the penultimate game of the four-match Asian Five Nations.
Fulfilling pre-match targets of defeat in under 100 points, the UAE were even able to lessen the deficit via James Ham’s penalty.
Bremner now hopes the spirit of this encounter will be taken into this Saturday’s must win bottom of the table clash away to the Philippines.
With both the UAE and the Philippines having lost three games apiece, whoever wins this next match will avoid relegation.
Losing to Japan by a margin less than 100 points was imperative for the UAE’s survival, because in the event of a draw with the Philippines, the UAE will now have a superior score difference thanks to the Philippines earlier 121-0 defeat to Japan.
Bremner said of Japan: “I use the analogy of a lightweight entering the ring with a heavyweight, but whereas the lightweight gets knocked out in the second round we still had to go 80 minutes.
“I have nothing but admiration for the UAE management and players who entered a daunting group in South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan — who are all professional or semi-professional teams — knowing that in reality all we could do was defend.
“There were mixed emotions after the game because they had kept the score under 100 but had also taken a battering. They put themselves in the firing line and stood up to be counted. There hasn’t been much chance to attack but we enter the last game hoping our attack is sweet and knowing that our defence has had plenty of practice.”
Of facing the Philippines in their own backyard at Rizal Park Memorial Stadium in Manila, Bremner added: “It’s do or die. All we can do is recover and get our heads on for battle. Nobody is going to run away with it and it will be a battle between who can draw most inspiration from their previous trials and tribulations.
“Fanatical home support will be an advantage for the Philippines, but from what I’ve seen on TV it’s mostly screaming females as opposed to rugby fans. The screaming was fairly incessant and indiscriminate. No matter who had the ball it didn’t waver in any direction, so it could turn in our favour.”
