The 2023 Asia Rugby season is looking very promising as of right now. The season’s first game of the year happened this week, between Qatar and Iran.

The two teams share somewhat of a rivalry in the sport, and they disappointed many fans when Iran and Qatar did not face each other in the previous year. The reason for the cancelation of the games was not disclosed, but many attribute Iran’s growing political issues as the reason for match not happening.

Despite that, Iran and Qatar faced each other on February 10—and the dispute was not as close as many expected it to be. Especially given that the last time the two national teams faced each other in 2018, Qatar beat Iran in a close 17 to 8 scorecard.

But this time, the discrepancy was a lot higher. The Qatari team opened up 40 points on their opponents, and until the near the end of the contest, it seemed like Iran wouldn’t even score a single point in the match.

However, at around 35 minutes of the second half—the Iranian’s scored their first try in the match, and also converting the drop goal, turning the match to 40 x 7 in favor of the Qataris.

At overtime, Iran narrowed the difference in the scorecards. The team converted its second try in the match, which ended 40 x 12.

In an exciting match held at the Al Ain Amblers Rugby Club in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the Qatar Rugby team secured their championship title as the winners of the Asia Rugby Division 3 West.

What This Match Means For The Future of Qatar’s Rugby

The victory of the Qatari team against Iran is significant for the sport of rugby in Asia. 

Although neither team will play the upcoming Rugby World Cup this year, the sport is rapidly growing in popularity in the region. 

Qatar’s win can help promote and popularize the game, and attract more attention and investment in rugby in the region. 

The win can also make Qatari fans hope to see their national team in the next World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Australia in 2027. 

With the spotlight on rugby in Asia, the Qatari team’s win can inspire more young people in the region to take up the sport, and may lead to further growth and development of the game in the area.

Iran Rebuilding Its Rugby Structure

Despite facing serious economic hardships, Iran is growing and investing in rugby. In recent years, Iran’s national rugby has been struggling with economic hardships because of the unfavorable situation the country is in after facing harsh economic sanctions from outside parties.

However, despite all that, Iran Rugby has been proven successful in West Asia in both the male and female divisions. In 2017, the Iran men’s national rugby team won the Asia Rugby Championship Division 3 West, defeating Iraq 17-12 in the final.

Also, the Iran Rugby Association is proactive in developing the game of rugby in schools, and the Iran National Olympic Council has shown its support for the development of the game, including allocating applications for Olympic Solidarity Funding.