The Arabian Gulf finished sixth in the Singer Sri Lankan Airlines Sevens in Kandy, equaling their best-ever performance in the IRB satellite event.
After losing to China in the cup quarter-finals, the Gulf went through to the plate semi-finals where old foes Hong Kong were dispatched 24-12.
But hopes of securing fifth position disappeared against Thailand who had an extra yard of pace which was made to count with a 26-5 success.
Coach Mike Lunjevich, who voiced his displeasure at his team?s first day effort, said: ?There was a big improvement today and sixth place was a fair result.
We have got a lot out of the tournament and it?s a building block for the future but our fitness levels definitely have to improve. Three or four of the guys are there, but three or four are not fit enough for sevens.?
Lunjevich also wants to see the Gulf secure more meaningful practice leading into tournaments. ?Chinese Taipei, China and Hong Kong were playing each other for three weeks before coming here,? he said. We had no lead in at all.
The second day began with China cruising to a 31-5 cup victory with Jamie Turner claiming his side?'s only score.
But the Gulf then showed plenty of heart and determination for a solid defeat of Hong Kong as Francois Coetzer (Dubai Exiles), Dushan Raveendrakumar (Dubai Dragons), replacement Sean Hurley (Dragons) and Paul Beard (Doha) all claimed scores.
Coetzer then gave the Gulf the lead against Thailand who rallied to take a 14-5 advantage at the break. But the Gulf?s hopes took a battering when Coetzer was yellow carded for pushing a Thai player off the ball, and in his absence two tries were conceded.
Coetzer came back on to claim a well-worked converted try under the posts but it was too late to change the result.
In the absence of Asian powerhouses Japan, Korea secured the main cup with victory over China who, despite defeat, continue to make dramatic progress.
Chinese Taipei held off a strong challenge from the host nation to finish third.
Day two results:
Cup quarter-finals: Korea 31 Kazakhstan 7, Thailand 12 Sri Lanka 35, Chinese Taipei 21 Hong Kong 5, Arabian Gulf 5 China 31.
Cup semi-finals: Korea 14 Sri Lanka 12, Chinese Taipei 17 China 19.
Cup final: Korea 24 China 19.
3rd/4th place play-off: Sri Lanka 7 Chinese Taipei 31.
Plate semi-finals: Kazakhstan 22 Thailand 26, Hong Kong 12 Arabian Gulf 24.
Plate final: Thailand 26 Arabian Gulf 5.
7th/8th place play-off: Kazakhstan 12 Hong Kong 19.
Bowl semi-finals: Malaysia 46 Philippines 0, Pakistan 0 India 24.
Bowl final: Malaysia 14 India 10.
11th/12th place play-off: Philippines 27 Pakistan 5.