KUCHING: Al Matteen and Axis Academy were crowned champions in the Under-14 and Under-16 categories respectively at the grand finals of the PETRONAS Youth Football Closed Tournament (PYFCT) 2025 held at Sarawak Stadium on Saturday.
Interestingly, both teams recorded the same result with four unanswered goals in their final matches that afternoon, witnessed by thousands of supporters cheering their respective sides.
In the Under-14 final, Al Matteen comfortably defeated Cascara Junior, followed by the Under-16 final in which Axis Academy overcame strong resistance from SMK Sri Matang.
The victories secured both teams a spot in the PYFCT Champions League scheduled to take place this coming November.
Al Matteen’s head coach, Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, admitted that the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League will be maximised, with hopes of competing all the way to the final.
“Since we’ve already come this far, it’s not wrong to dream that our team can reach the final of that league.
“I believe that with more than three years of experience competing together in the PYFCT, this is the first time we’ve been crowned champions and earned the chance to compete in the Champions League qualifiers.
“I’m sure the team is eager for that challenge,” he said during the event.
Commenting on the team’s 4-0 victory against Cascara Junior, he acknowledged that his players showcased their best performance in the final.
Meanwhile, Axis Academy Under-16’s head coach, Ahmad Tajudin Zunaidi, said the championship victory was a sweet moment for the team.
“This success is the result of their dedication in training, and I admit our three months of preparation before the match paid off with this sweet victory.
“We didn’t expect to make it this far, but what delighted me most was the players’ impressive performance, which led us to the championship,” he said.
In the Under-14 category, Al Matteen emerged as champions, Cascara Junior finished second, and SMK Sri Matang secured third place.
In the Under-16 category, Axis Academy were crowned champions, followed by SMK Sri Matang as runners-up, with PFA Odin finishing third.
The prize-giving ceremony was officiated by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Morshidi Frederick.
