PETALING JAYA: Sabah ended a 31-year wait for a Cup after edging Penang 4-3 in a penalty shootout to clinch the Challenge Cup title on Sunday (April 19).
The final went the distance after both sides were locked 1-1 on aggregate over two legs, with neither team able to break the deadlock in regulation or extra time in the second leg at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu.
Winger Farhan Roslan emerged as the hero, calmly converting the winning spot-kick in sudden death to spark wild celebrations among the 20,000-strong home crowd.
Penang had more opportunities during normal time, but Ivorian striker Tchetche Kipre squandered three promising chances.
With neither team able to find a breakthrough, the match went into extra time, where fatigue began to take its toll after an intense contest. Still, no goals were forthcoming after 120 minutes, forcing the tie into a penalty shootout.
Sabah held their nerve from the spot. Dino Ljubic, Sane Ingham and Kervens Belfort converted their penalties, while Farhan sealed victory in sudden death.
Penang’s Dean Pelekanos and Ernesto Phumipha saw their efforts saved by goalkeeper Ramadhan Abd Hamid.
At the other end, Sabah goalkeeper Damien Lim proved decisive, denying Stefano Brundo and OJ Porteria, while Adib Abd Raop slipped and sent his sudden-death attempt wide.
Penang’s successful penalty takers were Douglas Coutinho, Faith Obilor and Omid Musawi.
The triumph marks Sabah’s first cup success since winning the FA Cup in 1995, ending a long wait and delivering a memorable night for their supporters.
