Johor Darul Ta’Zim still secures top on the table after win Kelantan Darul Naim scoring 6-1 in the Liga Super Malaysia 2024/25 at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri.
Despite playing as the “away” team at their home venue due to KDN’s temporary use of the stadium while their home ground, Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium, undergoes renovations, JDT’s relentless performance kept them at the top of the league table.
Hector Bidoglio’s squad displayed their supremacy from the start, controlling the game and overwhelming Park Jae-hong’s KDN team, who were bolstered by new imports Aung Kaung Mann, Layth Kharoub, and Washington Brandao. Even with these reinforcements, KDN struggled to contain JDT’s fluid and aggressive attack.
The match kicked off with an immediate threat from JDT, as Heberty Fernandes set up Bergson da Silva in the first minute. Bergson’s powerful shot was denied only by the quick reflexes of KDN goalkeeper Fikri Che Soh, who managed to deflect the ball and keep the early scoreline level.
JDT continued to press for a breakthrough, dominating possession and creating several chances. In the 23rd minute, a dangerous shot by Enzo Lombardo was blocked, and just two minutes later, Heberty’s strike was again deflected by Fikri.
However, JDT’s persistence paid off in the 42nd minute when Nazmi Faiz Mansor delivered a precise cross to Bergson, who expertly controlled the ball with his chest before firing it into the left corner, leaving Fikri helpless. Just before halftime, Bergson doubled JDT’s lead, finishing off a brilliant one-two play between Heberty and Romel Morales, further frustrating the KDN defense.
The second half saw JDT extend their lead. In the 55th minute, Lombardo’s pass found Arif Aiman Hanapi, who capitalized on his recent form from the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) action, calmly slotting the ball into the right corner to make it 3-0. Just three minutes later, Arif added a fourth for JDT, tapping in a long ball from Heberty, which gave JDT an unassailable 4-0 lead.
KDN managed to pull one back in the 65th minute when substitute Brandao headed the ball into the path of Kharoub, who quickly struck it past JDT goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed to make it 4-1. However, the goal did little to slow JDT’s momentum.
Bergson completed his hat-trick in the 71st minute, finishing off a well-timed pass from Arif Aiman, marking his third treble of the season and further cementing JDT’s lead at 5-1. The night went from bad to worse for KDN as, in the 74th minute, Mahamadou Sumareh’s cross was misdirected by KDN defender Muhammad Umeir Aznan, resulting in an own goal and capping off a disastrous evening for the visitors.
The 6-1 victory not only highlighted JDT’s attacking prowess but also underscored their dominance in the league. With Bergson’s hat-trick and Arif Aiman’s stellar performance, the Harimau Selatan remain firmly at the top of the Liga Super table, continuing their march towards another potential title.
Credit Photo : JST
