KUANTAN: Pulapol edged defending champions Bukit Aman 2-1 to capture the IGP Cup Premier Division title for the second time in three years at the Wisma Belia Stadium on Wednesday.
Pulapol last won the title in 2016 following a 7-2 victory over Bukit Aman at the same venue.
The final today was graced by Bukit Aman director of management, Commissioner of Police Datuk Sri Abdul Ghafar Rajab.
Among the other top brass who watched the final were Pahang police chief Datuk Sri Rosli Ab Rahman, Briged Tenggara commander SAC Datuk Roslan Bek Ahmad and DCP Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
The match got off to a furious pace. It was a test of character between Bukit Aman and Pulapol, who had individual quality with the services of several former internationals and former state Razak Cup players.
Bukit Aman, however, adapted well to the pressure and went 1-0 up in the fifth minute, courtesy of a penalty corner conversion by Megat Azrafiq Megat Termizi.
Pulapol led by team captain and former international Baljit Singh, clawed back to equalise in the 29th minute through Dick Cheny Waill’s field goal. Baljit extended the lead 2-1 via a penalty stroke conversion in the 50th minute.
Bukit Aman refused to let defeat come in their way and mounted several counter-attacks only to be denied by Pulapol goalkeeper Muhammad Syair Mohd Syhalmiudaya in the closing stages of the fourth quarter.
But there was little they could do as the clock ticked away and Pulapol emerged champions once again.
Selangor, who lost to Bukit Aman in the semi-finals, finished third with a 4-3 victory over Johor.
Results – Final: Pulapol Kuala Lumpur 2 Bukit Aman 1.
Third: Selangor 4 Johor 3.
Fifth: Kuala Lumpur 4 Briged Tengah 2.
Seventh:Perak 6 Pahang 2.
ROLL OF HONOUR – PREMIER DIVISION:
Champions: Pulapol
Runner-up: Bukit Aman
Third: Selangor
Best Player: Mohd Fikri Mat Kassim (Bukit Aman)
Best Goalkeeper: Insp Saifulnizam Mohamed Jais (Joh)
Top Scorer: Insp Baljit Singh (12 goals- Pulapol KL)
Fairplay: Selangor
ROLL OF HONOUR – DIVISION ONE:
Champions: Sabah
Runner-up: Terengganu
Third: Briged Tenggara
Best Player: Mohd Firdaus Abdul Ghani
Top scorer: Azrul Hisham Zahari (7 goals – Terengganu)
Best Goalkeeper: Izwan Affendi Selamat (N. Sembilan).
Fairplay: Perlis
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