malaysiangMIRI, Johor ended their 30-year wait for the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) men’s rugby 7s gold medal in style as they handed Terengganu a 29-0 mauling in the final of SUKMA 2024 at the Miri Stadium here today.
The Johor team, led by coach Mohd Saizul Hafifi Md Noor, went on the offensive right from the first whistle, resulting in Luqmanul Hakim Ramli scoring two tries and skipper Adam Abdullah converting one for the southerners to lead 12-0.
Johor continued the onslaught as Adam and Ahmad Hamka Ilham Ahmad Zamani ran in a try each to stretch their lead to 22-0 in the first half.
With their job as good as done, Johor took their foot off the pedal after the break, adding just one more try through Muhammad Syafiq Wahid, which Muhammad Zalwan Mohd Yusof converted to make it 29-0.
The last time Johor emerged as rugby champions they won the 10-a-side gold medal at the 1994 edition.
‘When Johor gave me the opportunity to handle the squad in 2023, I took it seriously, especially when I realised that we last won the g
old medal in 1994.
‘We have played against Terengganu many times and the results have been quite close. So, I advised the players to just give their everything as this is the final,’ said Mohd Saizul Hafifi.
Meanwhile, Selangor won the women’s rugby 7s gold medal after overcoming hosts Sarawak 12-7 in the final, thus making amends for their silver medal finish at the previous edition.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
