Johor Darul Ta’Zim earned 3 points at home after beating Kuala Lumpur City scoring 3-0 in the Liga Super Malaysia 2024/25 at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri.
The Southern Tigers’ scintillating performance saw them solidify their position at the top of the league table with 43 points after 14 consecutive wins.
The spotlight of the evening belonged to JDT’s star forward, Arif Aiman Hanapi, who silenced critics with a sensational hat-trick. Known for his subdued performances in recent Asian Champions League (ACL) matches, Arif came alive on home turf, leading his team to a dominant win.
JDT opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Arif, left unmarked, showcased his speed and precision. A solo run culminated in a deftly flicked shot that nestled into the far corner, leaving KL City goalkeeper Azri Ab Ghani helpless.
Arif doubled the lead in the 36th minute with a thunderous strike from outside the penalty box. The ball’s trajectory and velocity left Azri stunned, igniting raucous cheers from the JDT faithful.
The hat-trick was completed just before halftime when VAR detected a handball by KL City’s Brendan Gan, leading to a penalty. Arif stepped up confidently and slotted the ball past Azri, securing his third goal of the match and cementing JDT’s lead at 3-0 by the break.
With this victory, JDT have sent a clear message of their dominance in the domestic league. The Southern Tigers will now turn their attention to the Malaysia Cup, where they face KL City again in the first leg of the quarterfinals at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Cheras, this Friday.
Credit Photo : JST
