The second round of this year’s Asia Rugby Championship was celebrated by a passionate home crowd at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

Malaysia, despite falling to a 38-16 defeat to Korea, impressed on home soil and showed great improvement from their 52-14 defeat a week ago in Incheon.

Korea got off to a strong start, scoring two tries in the opening 10minutes through Sungkun Cha and Daeyoung Yang.

But a penalty from Mohd Rahman and a converted try from Amirul Amizan brought the hosts level at 10-10.

Captain Kwanyoung Na scored a sensational try down the wing for the visitors before the break and there was still time for a second Rahman penalty as well as a fourth try for Korea.

Hyeonseong Shin secured the bonus point for Korea, the replacement coming on to score with his first touch in international rugby to make it 24-13 at the break.

In the second half Rahman added a third penalty but Namuk Kim and Junhui Lim confrmed the 38-16 win in an enthralling match.

With new coach Brad Mika at the helm and a home crowd to impress, Malaysia held their own against the higher ranked Koreans.

For Korea, this was their second win in as many games and they sit at the top of the Asia Rugby Championship Top 3 standings as they aim to win their first-ever title.

Both sides now face home and away matches with defending champions Hong Kong with Korea up first on 8 June in Incheon.

Photo: Asia Rugby