Qatar has clinched the championship title for the Asia Rugby Division 3 West after a spectacular win over Iran in a thrilling match held at the Al Ain Amblers Rugby Club in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The Qatari team displayed impressive skills and teamwork, dominating the match with a final score of 40-12 against their rivals. It was a resounding victory for the Qatar Rugby team, and their fans were ecstatic as they celebrated the historic win.
The Qatari team demonstrated an impressive performance, leaving their opponents trailing behind by a whopping 40 points.
For the majority of the contest, it appeared that Iran would not be able to secure even a single point against the Qatari team.
However, around the 35th minute of the second half, the Iranians managed to score their first try of the match and even converted a drop goal, narrowing the lead to 40-7 in favor of the Qataris. This impressive comeback by the Iranians kept the match exciting until the very end.
This triumph symbolizes the growth that Rugby is seeing in Qatar. In recent years, “The Maroons” have cemented themselves as a force to be reckoned with in Asian Rugby.
A few years back, Qatar secured a remarkable victory against the highly competitive Lebanon, beating them by a narrow scoreline of 13-10. The match was an intense winner-takes-all final of the Asia Rugby Championship Division 3 West, held in the bustling city of Doha.
The victory was a significant milestone for the Qatari team, and it earned them a reputation as a formidable force in Asia.
In 2020, the Qatar Rugby Federation was accepted into the World Rugby Association. As a member, Qatar gained access to a range of international rugby competitions and tournaments, and also became eligible to host them.
Additionally, the QRF was then able to access various support programs, including coaching, training, and development initiatives, offered by World Rugby to help promote and grow the sport within the country.
One fan of the Rugby League had this to say about the sport and pride in providing supplies to the athletes:
“It’s a great thing to see our sports taping out on players. It means we’re going to see real Rugby play soon. We support player needs but our staff also enjoys watching UAE Rugby, the five major 7s, and other tournament play” said a representative of Gulfphysio. A former sponsor of Al Ain Ambler’s Club.
Now, the Qataris are reaping the benefits of investing in the sport, and the fans hope to see the team representing Qatar on Rugby’s World Cup in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Iranian team is currently going through a “rebuilding” period of themselves.
After a triumphant winning streak that led them to secure the Asia Rugby Championship Division 3 West title in 2017, the Iranian team faced some challenging times in the ensuing years.
The past seasons have been turbulent for Iranian Rugby. Due to economic difficulties linked to the recurring international sanctions imposed on Iran due its developing nuclear program, the rugby team missed a series of matches and tournaments.
Last week’s match against Qatar serves as a reminder that Iran is still one of the best Rugby teams in Asia, and that they will likely come back even stronger in the next matches.