Kota Kinabalu: Kota Belud won the Safa Cup 2018 in extra time by beating defending champion Kota Kinabalu 2-1 in an ill-tempered match at the Likas Stadium, Saturday. The two teams who drew 1-1 in the early group stage found themselves in similar situation after 90 minutes of play with the opening goal by Kota Belud through Owen Pidu while the Kota Kinabalu equaliser was scored by Shamiran Mukarim, both came in the first half.
It was another end to end stuff after the restart but both teams again wasted several opportunities to find the winner. Ugly scene erupted at the tail end of the 90 minutes when Kota Belud players retaliated after one of the players was fouled. With match officials unable to control the situation, the match turned into chaos, with Kota Belud coach Matlan Marjan calling his players to leave the field, and the referee was also assaulted by one of the team officials from Kota Belud bench.
As a result, the match was interrupted for more than 10 minute after match officials were escorted out of the pitch with State Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Frankie Poon and Deputy Home Minister Datuk Azis Jamman watching from the VIP stand. When the match resumed, Kota Kinabalu was left with 10-man with the sending off of Fuad Amin for two yellow cards but soon followed by teammate Shariman Mukarim with his second yellow in the 106th minute, while Kota Belud also had Faizal Jamrah leaving the pitch a minute later with two yellows as well.
Both teams again had their chances in the extra period but it was Parisco Adriano Painol who finally found the winner for Kota Belud in the 109th minute with a header from close range. Meanwhile, Keningau defeated Kinabatangan 3-0 to take the third spot in the earlier play-off match at the Likas Synthetic pitch. - GL Oh
