So said national team coach Aaron Paul on Qatar’s first ever test match win at the HSBC Asian 5 Nations 2011. The Qataris beat Division IV top seeds Jordan 26-8 at 7he Sevens in Dubai and will now play Lebanon in the title decider on Friday.
Qatar’s historic first win will help to “put us on the map as a rugby team” said winger Abdul Kareem Al Muhannady.
Qatar raced into an 11-0 lead at half time as fly half Paul Beard scored the nation’s first points in international rugby with a penalty and hooker Shane Kelly followed up with a try. After the break they stretched the lead to 21-0 with Gavin Pier also touching down. Nidal Zyadat scored a try for Jordan and Jamal Masri a penalty to reduce the defecit.
Kelly then scored a second try to put the match out of reach. Coach Paul added,
“We scored three tries today so you have to be happy with that. It was a physical match, I think maybe more physical than the other semi final and our guys are sore. But a year ago we weren’t even a rugby nation and today we are in the finals. We have come this far and we are going to keep going.”
Al Muhannady said;
“It was special to play for Qatar. It was my first cap and I had a good game. As this is the first national 15s rugby team I am very glad that we won this game. I want to put us on the map as a rugby team.”
The Division IV final will be played before the Top 5 encounter between the United Arab Emirates and three-time defending champions Japan at 7he Sevens.
