The UAE kicked off their Asian Five Nations campaign in Hong Kong yesterday buoyed by the knowledge they had already managed to pass on one unwanted record.
Japan's 121-0 hammering of Philippines in Fukuoka, which finished before the UAE's encounter in Hong Kong, was somewhat of a double-edged sword for Emirates rugby.
It meant the UAE could dispense with the record for the heaviest defeat in this competition, the 111-0 loss they suffered on home soil two years ago.
However, it was a reminder of how tough the future tests facing them in this year's Five Nations could be, especially when the champions return to Dubai next month.
One significant concern for the rest of the field in their bid to catch the Japanese is that their side is still regarded as a developmental one, with an eye on the World Cup in two years' time.
"We are really looking to use the Asian Five Nations to build the base of our game," Eddie Jones, the Japan coach, said in a televised interview after the game.
"We are trying to get physically stronger and I think we showed that a little bit today. In the next three games we want to improve out set piece, we know we can attack and we are looking forward to Hong Kong next week."
The size of the defeat will have dented the wave of optimism Philippines Volcanoes were riding on their first appearance in the top flight of Asian rugby.
Their rise to the top tier has been swift, and Jarred Hodges, their coach, acknowledged they still have much to improve if they are to compete at this level.
"We still have a lot to work on, no doubt," Hodges said.
"Japan were fantastic and it gave us a real eye-opening as to what has to occur for us to be at this level."
pradley@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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England-South Africa Test series
1st Test England win by 211 runs at Lord's, London
2nd Test South Africa win by 340 runs at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
3rd Test July 27-31 at The Oval, London
4th Test August 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
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