KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia put up a solid performance to finish third for the first time in the Asian Rugby Sevens Series in Bangkok today.
Malaysia defeated the United Arab Emirates 21-15 in the bronze playoff.
In the group stage, Malaysia were outplayed 43-5 by Hong Kong but bounced back to upset third-ranked South Korea 21-17.
They secured the semi-final spot after edging Singapore 29-21.
In the semi-finals, Malaysia gave a good fight to top seed Japan before going down 24-10.
National coach Nik Safuan Ismade Nik Man praised his players for their fighting spirit.
"A few of my players were injured, but they put their bodies on line to stun the fancied Koreans in the group stage," said Nik Safuan.
"This is the first time we have won bronze in the Asian Rugby Sevens Series,"
The Malaysian women's team, meanwhile, finished sixth with one win and four defeats. .