As Vice President of Old Edwardian Association Kuala Lumpur (OEAKL), I joined Assistant Secretary Tiger Amir Shafiq, Committee Member Tiger Datin Khairiah Majid, Auditor Tiger Hajah Zarina Ishak, my son, Member Tiger Farouq Ariffin (former KE7 rugby player) & his sister, Izni Farzana together with thousands of students, teachers, parents, alumni, and relatives to watch the SAR 2026 at Stadium Merdeka Kuala Lumpur. Being a veteran rugby player, I observed KE7 lost to ARAS due to ARAS's superior attacking efficiency, strong defensive stronghold & overall technical consistency over the course of the match. On paper and on the pitch, the match dynamic shifted due to critical factors: defensive resilience, aggressive pressure & advantage of experience.
I noticed ARAS possessed both a more potent attacking engine and a tighter defensive techniques. While KE7 managed to score an aggressive first try early in the match, ARAS successfully contained subsequent offensive runs. They denied KE7 from establishing sustained momentum. Head coach Mohd Faiz Ali's ARAS squad applied persistent high pressure. They capitalized on tactical gaps to score consecutive tries and vital conversions. This was KE7's first-ever appearance in a SAR Grand Final. ARAS used home ground advantage & deeper operational consistency to control the tempo of the second half.
I could sense the potentials, despite the 29-19 loss, the KE7 Tigers made history just by reaching the finals in only their second season in the division, and being upgraded to the elite academy division. So, the future of the KE7 rugby team is exceptionally bright, with the program firmly established in reviving the superpower in Malaysian school rugby. Head coach Mohd Taufiq Abd Rani has emphasized their recent historic run is just the beginning of a long sustained era of excellence. This meteoric trajectory signals that they are structurally built to compete for championships annually and regional matches.
My advice to KE7 Tigers team, instead of a setback, their 29-19 loss to ARAS serves as the foundational benchmark for a hungry, high disciplined squad destined to the national stage. I suggest revive the battle cry and rally the chant of KE7 rugby team “Tigers Never Die”, as such, “Edwardians Never Die”.
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