KUCHING – Kuching City FC (KCFC) has once again put Sarawak football in the national spotlight with a 2-0 victory over Penang FC in the second leg of the Malaysia Cup 2026.
The win secured KCFC a 2-1 aggregate triumph, despite a 0-1 loss in the first leg at Bandaraya Stadium on 18 January, marking a significant milestone for football in Sarawak.
Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, praised the team’s performance, noting that their success reflects the rising standard of football in the state.
“I am extremely pleased with the progress shown by this Sarawak-based team, KCFC. We can see that the quality of football from the Land of the Hornbills has improved significantly,” he said during a trial run of the new Kuching Metro electric bus route on Sunday.
He extended his congratulations to the squad, led by head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak, and expressed hope that the team will maintain their winning momentum as they advance in the competition.
KCFC, nicknamed The Cats, will now face DPMM FC from Brunei Darussalam in the quarter-finals.
The victory over Penang FC, a four-time Malaysia Cup champion, is seen as a breakthrough moment for KCFC, highlighting Sarawak’s growing competitiveness on the national football stage.
Observers noted that the team’s success reflects not only improved training and management but also Sarawak’s broader commitment to sports development.
The state has been investing in infrastructure, coaching, and youth programmes to strengthen its sporting profile.
KCFC’s achievement is expected to inspire greater enthusiasm among football fans in Sarawak, reinforcing the state’s ambition to re-establish itself as a powerhouse in Malaysian football.
