By Fadhli Ishak
KUALA LUMPUR: The national junior rugby squad will have to hit the ground running as they have been handed a tough group for the Asia Rugby Under-18 Sevens Championships in Hohhoy, China on Sept 13-14.
Malaysia has been drawn alongside Asian heavyweights Japan, Kazakhstan and Taiwan (group B) in the boys' competition.
Group A features Hong Kong, China, India and Qatar.
National under-18 boys' squad head coach Syahir Asyraf Rosli is expecting a tough competition.
Syahir and fellow national coach Nazeer Nesharah had led the under-18 squad to victory in the Asian School Rugby Sevens competition in Hong Kong last month.
"This Asian Under-18 competition will be much tougher compared to the Asian School Rugby Sevens as competing countries will be sending their best players to compete," said Syahir when contacted today.
"Most of them had sent their school players then but now they will likely send their rugby academy players.
"I expect Japan and Hong Kong to be the favourites in this competition but Kazakhstan, Taiwan and India will also be tough.
"India has improved a lot and they even came to Malaysia for a short training camp recently.
"The goal for us is to first make the semi-finals which is not easy as we have a tricky group. We have to focus on one match at a time."
The Bunga Raya juniors will open their campaign against Kazakhstan followed by Japan and Taiwan, all on Saturday. The knockout stages will be held on Sunday.
Malaysia will also be sending a girls' team to the competition, coached by Josephine Augustine.
Malaysia has won the Asian Under-18 Championships boys' title once before when it was held in Johor Baru in 2018.