KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Prisons team beat arch-rivals Kajang (Selangor A) 2-0 in the final to reclaim their title at the 36th Tan Sri Murad Ahmad National Prison Football Tournament in Penang on Sunday. The two teams had monopolised the finals for the previous two years with Kajang victorious in last year’s encounter, while Sabah won the cup a year earlier. It was another classic match on Sunday with both teams unable to find the net in the opening 45 minutes.
The breakthrough only came when Sabah’s Jasmit Ahmad scored within two minutes after the restart and with the Kajang players still in a state of shock, Celectinus Doos added a second two minutes later to extend the lead and the score remained until the final whistle. Sabah’s players also won two individual awards with Helmi @ Boy Justin being judged the best player of the tournament and Celestinus Doos as top scorer with seven goals.
Earlier, Sabah booked their place in the final with a 3-0 win over Sungai Buloh (Selangor B) while Kajang beat Negeri Sembilan 2-0 in the other semi final. Team manager Jorennedy Sylvester was happy the team managed to avenge their loss last year, and praised the players and the coaches for their achievement.
He also expressed his thanks to Sabah State Prisons director Hj Suria Hj Idris and institutions directors for their support. He added that the team will take a two days rest before preparing for their KDM League FA Cup match against KDM Tongod on April 20. Assistant manager for the team is Adney Miky and Roslan Wasli as the head coach assisted by Agustin Paga.
The players who started in the final were Abraham Hariri, Tonny Paga, Abd Ghni Karim, Azmi Ali, Celestinus Doos, Sharizal Enin, Adlan Mayahman, Fendi Linik, Chong Yew Tarn, Helmi @ Boy Justin, Jasmit Ahmad while the reserves were Limin Lasaleh, Kissinger Kisi, Mohd Hanafie, Tommy Anak Bujeng, Jannereo Jolias, Allen Rudy Funk, Razali Awang. – GL Oh
