Johor Darul Ta’zim Futsal sealed third place in the Malaysia Futsal Cup 2025 after edging Sabah 4-3 in a thrilling playoff clash on Saturday.
The match for third and fourth place saw JDT—who had fallen to Pahang Rangers in the semi-final—go head-to-head with Sabah, who were denied a spot in the final by Selangor.
JDT fielded their sole import player, Brazilian star Bruno Taffy, while Sabah named a full-strength squad led by captain Syarul Nizam.
Sabah struck first through Nattan Soares, who showcased his sharp finishing with goals in the 12th and 17th minutes, giving head coach Felipe Augusto’s side the upper hand over the defending MFC champions.
JDT responded with relentless pressure, and Mahadhir Harahap found the breakthrough with a 16th-minute strike to keep the Southern Tigers in contention.
After the break, Sabah restored their two-goal cushion when Farith Ahmad calmly tapped home a cross from Kairul Sukri in the 27th minute, making it 3-1.
National player Syed Aizad reignited JDT’s hopes with a 33rd-minute effort, narrowing the deficit to 3-2 and sparking a spirited fightback.
In the final minutes, JDT’s persistence paid off. Firdaus Ambiah and Ridzwan Bakri struck late to turn the game on its head, securing a 4-3 comeback victory and handing JDT a dramatic bronze-medal finish.
The result underlines JDT’s resilience as they bounced back from semi-final disappointment to end their MFC campaign on a high, while Sabah were left to rue missed chances despite a strong showing.
Credit Photo : FAM
