First ever cup win for South Jesselton FC

SJFC 3-0 Frankdouria (Emerald Challenger Cup final, Season 64): Club won their maiden cup competition in their history

It's always a great pleasure to won a trophy, but to finally got a maiden cup victory was a special feeling. That certainly was in the mind of South Jesselton FC's players and staff after the 3-0 Emerald Challenger Cup final win over Frankdouria, an achievement that described by manager Nazqxca as "magnificent".

Having entered the Emerald Cup after eliminated in the quarter-final of Piala Malaysia by eventual winner Malaysian Tigers, SJFC navigated their way to the final by getting through Tumbang Tegak United in quarter-final and Spritzer FC in the semi-final, setting up a showdown against Liga Perdana's Frankdouria - a fixture where Nazqxca labeled his side as "underdogs" pre-match, based on their previous meetings and current league ranking.

Heading into the match, both sides are looking for their first ever Emerald trophy, while this is the first ever cup final for SJFC, their opponent have a history in cup competitions as the reigning champion of Sapphire Challenger Cup in addition of winning the Consolation Cup in Season 51.

It made for a jubilant scene after the goals from Joerg Zaller, Cosmin Leca and Sng Choon Kim sealed the game in SJFC's favor that delivers the first ever cup win in the club's history. For the club, it's truly a special moment seeing the trophy lifted together by coach and club legend Ridwan Muslim - which was at the club since it was founded as a 17 year-old, eventually captaining the team and later become the head coach - and captain Izham Ali Othman who led the defensive backline comprised of academy graduates that provided a memorable rearguard presence in the match.

Nazqxca's desire to win a cup has been visible for a long time since the new Cup system was established, and he made his intention clear for the club's target in the beginning of the season. Having achieved that at last, the club will be hoping to use it as a boost for them in the league where currently SJFC is sitting 2nd after halfway through the season.

Still, this historical moment will be fondly remembered.

SJFC's final line-up: Ernesto Casillas, Izham Ali Othman, Kamarul Akmal Roslan, Wong Ting Eng, Sng Choon Kim, Tabari Jalal, Chua Kian Jian, Olmas Veretelnikov, Salvatore Rafuzzi, Joerg Zaller, Cosmin Leca ( Hashim Mohd Affandi 89' ).

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