A Bruneian player (2nd R) tries to escape tackles from Cambodian players during the same game. The six-tier Asian 5 Nations concluded on Sunday with Lebanon beating Uzbekistan 20-19 to top Division III West. BT/Ridhwan Kamarulzaman
National rugby vice-captain Ahmad Faez Anuar (C) on the ball against Cambodia during their Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Asian 5 Nations Division IV tournament game at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas last Saturday. BT/Ridhwan Kamarulzaman
The yearly Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Asian 5 Nations came to an end when Lebanon edged Uzbekistan 20-19 to top Division III West on Sunday.
ndia finished third in the division after picking up a 25-7 win over Pakistan at the Punjab Stadium Lahore, Pakistan. Lebanon sealed their spot in the final by outplaying Pakistan 17-3 while Uzbekistan secured a close 23-17 win over India.
Brunei hosted the Division IV competition last week, with Mongolia steamrolling into pole position followed by Cambodia and Brunei. Mongolia took the trophy by outplaying Brunei 38-13 before thrashing Cambodia 44-5, marking their return to the tournament after a four-year absence in style.
Cambodia finished second after they edged Brunei in a tight 25-20 clash on Saturday at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas. ARFU's Asian 5 Nations is divided into six divisions; Top 5, Division I, Division II, Division III East, Division III West and Division IV.
Only two matches were played in the A5N Division 1 tournament. The first saw Singapore outscore United Arab Emirates 30-13 while Kazakhstan pulled off a 37-8 win over Chinese Taipei.
Division II saw Malaysia rise to the top after they defeated Qatar 31-22 in the final. Malaysia earned their spot after they toppled Iran 43-22 in the semi-final while Qatar beat Thailand 24-11 in their last-four meeting.
Iran finished third after a close 26-23 victory against Thailand. China were the champions of the Division III East competition after they thrashed Guam 41-10. They progressed into the final after edging Indonesia 10-6 while Guam ran a 48-10 game against Laos.
Indonesia took third by a point after they edged Laos 11-10. The Top 5 Division saw Japan come out as the strongest team for the seventh straight year - securing them a spot in next year's Rugby World Cup. Japan's winning score lines - 132-10 against Sri Lanka, 99-10 against Philippines, 62-5 against South Korea and 49-8 against Hong Kong - showed that their level of rugby is far superior to the Asian nations.
Their win will see them lace up at the September 18 - October 31 Rugby World Cup 2015 in England, where they will face off against South Africa, Samoa, Scotland and the United States in Pool B. Pool A consists of Australia, England, Wales, the top Oceana team and the winner of a four-team playoffs.
Hong Kong, who placed second in the Top 5, will have a chance to be Asia's other representative at the World Cup as they will be part of the four-team playoffs. The three other teams are Uruguay from the Americas, Russia from Europe and a yet to be determined African team.
Pool C will see Argentina, Georgia, New Zealand, Tongo and the top African team that makes it through. Pool D will be contested between Canada, France, Ireland, Italy and Romania.
