RUGBY – Bahrain barged into the Cup semi-finals yesterday after sweeping their preliminary round campaign in the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Sevens Trophy 2026, taking place at Ayla Oasis in Aqaba, Jordan.
The kingdom’s representatives were dominant in victories against Kyrgyzstan and Iraq before edging past the host Jordanians to make it three wins from as many tries in Group B of the competition’s opening phase.
The Bahrainis therefore advanced to the last four along with the home team, who finished as runners-up in their pool.
Their semis opponents will be determined today following the concluding fixtures in Group A, which features Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Syria.
The nationals will take on the Group A runners-up at 1.35pm, while the Jordanians will lock horns with the Group A winners at 1.10pm.
Should they triumph, they will march through to the Cup final at 4.45pm, but if they lose, they will play for third place overall at 3.55pm. All times are Bahrain.
Classification matches amongst the nine participating men’s teams will also be held throughout the day.
The winners this year’s competition will earn promotion to the continent’s premier event, the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2027.
In Bahrain’s opening match yesterday, they got off to a scintillating start against Kyrgyzstan to lead 26-0 at the half en route to a resounding 52-0 triumph.
The Bahrainis continued where they left off in their next fixture against Iraq, leading 15-0 at the interval before closing out another big result at 29-0.
In their concluding Group B assignment yesterday against Jordan, Alastair Crombie made a key interception which led to Tian Jacobs driving in a try in the closing minutes of the first period.
The ensuing conversion by skipper Greg Heath was successful as the Bahrainis went ahead 7-0.
The nationals appeared to be cruising to the finish line after the re-start but then Jordan got onto the scoreboard with a try with less than a minute remaining on the game clock, making for a dramatic finish. But they missed their conversion attempt, losing their opportunity to draw level.
Bahrain’s squad in Aqaba also includes Leon Mauer, Aled Morris, Rhys Fitzgerald, Martin Prinsloo, Dai Evans, Cooper Comrie, Ali Alshaikh, Thibaut Pourcel, and Amaan Raza.
By advancing to the last four, Bahrain are assured of improving on their fifth-place finish overall amongst the 13 men’s teams that took part in last year’s edition of the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Sevens Trophy 2026, held in Muscat, Oman.
All of today’s matches on the concluding day of the tournament will be streamed live on Asia Rugby’s official YouTube channel.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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