KUCHING: SSN Sarawak squad created a history of its own in the Abang Jo Challenge Trophy 2018 football tournament by defeating newcomers Belia Lundu 2-1 in a thrilling final match held at the State Stadium in Petra Jaya, here, on Sunday.
Substitute player, Mohd Akmal Furhan Saptu was the hero of the Helearn Ak Wilfred (head coach) squad after scoring the winning goal five minutes before the final whistle.
Belia Lundu took the lead after former Sarawak squad captain Mohd Mokhtar Hairol led the team with a beautiful header in the early third minute.
But SSN Sarawak through Abdul Rahim Abdul Razak, who is also Sarawak’s former player, equalised in the 42nd minute. And luck favoured SSN Sarawak when Mohd Akmal fired the winning goal in the 85th minute.
With the victory, SSN Sarawak took home a cash prize of RM5,000, the Abang Jo Challenge Trophy, an accompany trophy and medals.
As runners-up, Belia Lundu received a cash prize of RM3,000, a trophy and medals. Meanwhile, the two losing semifinalists, Axis FC and KSCK Satok each received RM1,000 cash, a trophy and medals as joint third winners.
The prize giving ceremony was officiated by Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Also present at the ceremony were Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Tupong Assemblyman, who is also Kuching Division Football Association president (KDFA) Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Tanjung Datu Assemblywoman, Datuk Amar Hajah Jamilah Anu, Sarawak Football Association (FAS) deputy president, Dato Awang Daud Awang Putera and managing director of Lea Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, Raymond Sim Hee Pang.
Earlier on at the prize presentation ceremony, the winners of the K-League-LSC 2018 campaign also received their prizes.
