Dubai: The UAE lost 20-19 to Malaysia in their second of three Asian Rugby Championship division two matches in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
An Ed Lewsey try and Hassan Al Noobi conversion cancelled out Atunasia Takubu’s early opener for Malaysia. Mohammad Sudin then struck a penalty for the home side before the UAE got a try through Jaen Botes to lead at the interval 12-8.
Botes and Al Noobi combined for a try and conversion after the break to take the score to 19-8, but Takubu got his second and Mohammad Jamaluddin and Sudin got a try and conversion before the end to nick the narrowest of comeback wins.
A late Al Noobi penalty that came back off the post could cost the UAE promotion if Malaysia go on to beat Thailand on Saturday. Malaysia had beaten Chinese Taipei 46-13 on Sunday, while the UAE had opened with a 53-22 win over Thailand. Even if the UAE beat Chinese Taipei in their last game on Saturday, Malaysia will be promoted to division one with victory over Thailand.
Al Noobi had made history in the UAE’s opening win over Thailand by becoming the first Emirati to score a try in the history of international rugby 15s.
