Top seeds Malaysia will play the hosts, second-ranked Thailand in the final of the HSBC Asian Five Nations Division 2 on Saturday 14 June in Bangkok, a match that also doubles as round 1 of Rugby World Cup Qualification for Asia.
The two sides won through their opening matches against Pakistan and India to reach the final, the winner of which will go on to play in the Division 1 of the 2009 HSBC Asian Five Nations 2009, which will also serve as Round 2 of the Rugby World Cup qualifying for Asia.
This year's Division 1 tournament will be played between China, Chinese Taipei, Singapore and Sri Lanka in Chinese Taipei in November, the fourth-placed team dropping to Division 2.
Malaysia too strong for Pakistan
Malaysia played fourth seeds Pakistan in wet conditions at the Army Stadium in Bangkok. Pakistan failed to convert its significant share of possession but showed solid improvement.
Malaysia led 22-0 at the break but the Pakistan defence managed to plug the gaps in in the second half and conceded only one more unconverted try, while scoring themselves in the 76th minute before finally going down 30-5.
Thailand beat India in thriller
Thailand's match against India was a far tighter affair, India’s beefy pack asserting itself at the set piece while Thailand’s pacy backline proved a constant threat and was key to their 27–12 half time lead.
After the break India redoubled their efforts and scored 10 points to a solitary Thai penalty goal to bring the score to 27-22 with 25 minutes to play. Both sides attacked with venom and defended with gusto before some Indian indiscipline allowed Thailand a final crucial penalty chance, which was well converted to bring the final score to 30–22 in favour of a delighted Thai side.
Asian rugby development
Interspersed between this year’s Asian Five Nations Division I and Division II Tournaments are four regional competitions involving the remaining 12 Asian Unions taking part in the inaugural HSBC Asian Five Nations Series.
The first of these competitions will take place in Guam featuring Guam, Brunei and the Philippines from 28 June to 5 July. The second will be played in Jakarta, Indonesia in July, the third will be hosted in Qatar and will feature Mongolia, Macau and Qatar and the fourth will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan between Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Iran in September.
