Eagles close to lifing fifth Agong’s Cup title
Sabah Eagles are through to the finals a er bea ng Kedah 27-20 in the semi-final of the 36th Agong’s Cup Rugby Championship in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Eagles are through to the finals after beating Kedah 27-20 in the semi-final of the 36th Agong’s Cup Rugby Championship in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
Former national player Badrul Musa @ Muktee scored two tries to aid the Sandakan-based Eagles to victory.
His teammate Mohamad Sofian Mohd Kamal scored one too, while team captain Charles Luke McAlister contributed three points from a penalty.
But it was Muhamad Amirul Aqil Kamsol who opened account for the Eagles. The fullback scored a try seven minutes into the match and added two points from a conversion as Sabah Eagles roared to an early lead of 7-0.
Sofian made it 12 for the Eagles with a try in the 13th minute before Kedah struck back with a penalty five minutes later to make it 12-3.
The Eagles then made it 17-3 thanks to Badrul’s first try, but Kedah narrowed the gap with a try and a conversion to take it to 17-10 at half time.
Kedah scored a penalty after the game resumed but three points from McAlister helped to cancel their gain as the Eagles continued to lead, 20-13.
Badrul then scored his second try (25-13) before a conversion from Amirul put the Eagles safely through with time left to spare on the clock.
Kedah scrambled right to the end producing the last bit of action in the game. They scored a try and a conversion but the seven points did little to change their fate as the Eagles claimed their spot in Sunday’s final.
They face Kelantan after the latter beat title holders, Johor, 32-27 in the other semi-final match at the National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM) Stadium in Sungei Besi.
Meanwhile, Sabah Rugby Union deputy president Dr KH Tan said it was another great day for Sabah.
“We rose to the challenge and stayed focused by defeating Kedah,” he said.
“The boys were determined to finish well…they showed great unity and team work. It’s our sixth historic final and we are so proud of all of them,” Tan added.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Frankie Poon conveyed his congratulatory message to Sabah Eagles shortly after the victory.
For the record Sabah made their first appearance in the final back in 2005. They eventually went on to become a powerhouse after winning the title in 2007 and 2009 followed by consecutive victories in 2014 and 2015.