Keningau, Tawau lead CM Cup Final Rounds

KOTA KINABALU: Keningau and Tawau got off to winning starts in the Final Rounds opening group fixtures of the Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman Cup Inter-District Football Tournament yesterday.

Keningau, who were the 2013 champions, defeated Telupid 6-2 to go to the top of Group A, which is dubbed the ‘Group of Death’.

The former champions, however, did not have it easy at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Field C as they were stunned by Mohd Asri Rustam’s fifth minute opener.

Fortunately for Keningau, the lead was short-lived as a brace from Sham Sohalebey Agumi ensured they went into the break leading 2-1.

There was no turning back for Keningau as they marched on with Justin Saman scoring a hattrick in the 56th, 64th and 70th minutes to make it 5-1.

Shakoy Jusit made it 6-1 before Rely Sintong doubled Telupid’s score just before the final whistle.

The 2014 champions Tawau are second in the group after beating Pitas 2-0.

In Group B, the 2015 winners Sandakan suffered an upset 0-1 defeat at the hands of unheralded Beaufort at the UMS Synthetic field.

Thanks to Shairman Mukarim’s late goal, Sandakan are now forced to win their remaining two matches if they are to make it into the semi-finals.

Elsewhere, Kota Kinabalu set the early pace in Group B after they beat Putatan 2-0 at the Likas Stadium to top the group with superior goals difference against second placed Beaufort.

Meanwhile, Keningau and Tawau will face off in their second group match at the Penampang Stadium while Telupid will take on Pitas at the UMS Synthetic field in Group A today.

In Group B, Sandakan face a must-win game against Putatan at the Penampang Stadium while Kota Kinabalu and Beaufort will face off at the Likas Stadium, also today.

All matches will kick off at 3.30pm.

ALL THE BEST: Sabah FA deputy president Datuk Lawrence Gimbang being introduced to the players after opening the CM Cup Final Rounds at the Likas Stadium near here yesterday.