Malaysia’s Rugby World Cup 2019 dream remains intact after they beat Sri Lanka 22-9 in the Asia Rugby Championship Division 1 2017 title decider at Ipoh Padang on Saturday.

The hosts, ranked 16 places below Sri Lanka in the World Rugby Rankings, had to overcome three yellow cards in the match and ironically scored their two tries when down to 14 in the second half.

Centre Jone Mawara Nasalo had given Malaysia the perfect start inside four minutes, but within two minutes he was in the sin-bin with Thilina Wijesinghe kicking two penalties to edge Sri Lanka ahead in his absence.

In the middle of those two kicks Malaysia lost a second player to the bin in full-back Samuela Tamanisau, but fortunately the cards didn’t cost the hosts any further points and the score remained at 6-5 until half-time.

Sri Lanka increased their lead with another Wijesinghe penalty just before the hour mark and this was swiftly followed by another yellow for Malaysia, this time for prop Amuril Sani. 

In his absence, Malaysia turned the match in their favour with two tries in four minutes, centre Sakiusa Terence Gavidi and winger Wong Wye Wye dotting down to make it 19-9 with 13 minutes to go.

Sri Lanka didn’t recover from those quick-fire tries and a penalty by replacement Muhamad Amirul Aqil Kamsol wrapped up the victory and a second successive Division I title for his side.

Source: Rugby World Cup