IPOH, 17 Sept 2017:
Runner-up Kelantan is seen as the team to win the Ung Khek Cheow Cup in the National Seven Aside Rugby Championship (National Sevens 2017) after advancing to the quarter-finals of the men’s open category which was held at the Ipoh Field yesterday.
Defending champions Terengganu failed to advance to the quarter-finals after being beaten by Kuala Lumpur in Group D.
The Kelantan team was seen as having the potential to grab back the championship after beating all teams in Group C – namely Melaka (36-0), Penang (29-0) and Negeri Sembilan (38-0).
Kelantan had lined up five national players who recently saw action at the 2017 SEA Games – Zulkiflee Azmi, Muhammad Azwan Zuwairi Mat Zizi, Muhammad Ameer Nasrun Zulkefli, Mohamad Khairul Abdillah Ramli and Muhammad Zulhisham Rasli.
Kelantan captain Zulkiflee hoped the Cik Siti Wan Kembang state would emerge as champions again in the present championship. Kelantan won the title in 2014 and 2015.
“If possible, we want to grab back the championship cup, but what is definite is that today’s match will be tough.”
Also qualifying to the quarter-finals this morning is Kedah and Perak from Group A; Sabah and Selangor from Group B; Negeri Sembilan (Group C) and Johor and Kuala Lumpur (Group D).
In the quarter-finals, Kelantan would meet Selangor, Kedah would meet Kuala Lumpur, Sabah would face Negeri Sembilan and Johor would square off against Perak.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s category, Terengganu, Kedah, Selangor and Sabah would slog it out in the second round which was conducted in the league format
Terengganu Women’s rugby team captain Aki Loh Nong Sim hoped her team would be able to improve their defence and attack engines.
– Bernama