Johor Darul Ta’zim strengthened their stranglehold on the top of the Malaysian Super League after comfortably dismantling Melaka FC 7–1 at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri.
The match also forced JDT head coach Xisco Muñoz to do without his star winger Arif Aiman, who is nursing a thigh injury suffered while representing Harimau Malaya against Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers at Bukit Jalil on November 18.
Arif — the league’s reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) — is now doubtful for JDT’s upcoming AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 showdown against Melbourne City FC this Tuesday at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, with medical staff confirming he needs extended rest.
JDT took control from the first whistle, and in the 6th minute, Jonathan Silva found the back of the net — only for the assistant referee Mohd Khairul Nizam Radzali to raise his flag as Afiq Fazail appeared offside.
But a swift VAR review overturned the initial call, and referee Nasiruddin Tamrin awarded the goal to Silva, giving JDT a 1–0 lead.
Stunned by the early strike, Melaka tightened their defensive shape under head coach K. Devan, closing passing lanes and limiting space for Bergson da Silva and Jairo da Silva to operate.
But the resistance broke again in the 31st minute. From an Oscar Arribas free-kick, Bergson rose highest and powered home a header past former JDT II goalkeeper Haziq Aiman for 2–0.
After the break, JDT wasted no time extending their dominance. In the 47th minute Heberty Fernandes scored 3-0 moments after coming on, finishing off a clever attacking move created by Jairo. And in the 50th minute Teto Martin made it 4–0 with a thunderous strike from outside the box after Irfan Zakaria’s headed clearance fell perfectly for him.
In the 58th minute, VAR was once again called into action when Bergson’s finish was initially ruled offside. But Nasiruddin confirmed the goal after checking the build-up from Park Jun-heong’s lofted pass. JDT 5-0.
In the 66th minute, Teto Martin grabbed his second, smashing home another long-range effort after Bergson redirected Arribas’ free-kick into his path, JDT lead 6-0.
But Melaka stole a moment of pride in the 85th minute when substitute Abdul Azim Rahim robbed a JDT defender and unleashed a bold long-range strike from midfield that caught goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi off-guard, Melaka FC back to 1-6.
However, JDT responded instantly in the 89th minute following Heberty curled home a classy finish for his second of the night, sealing a dominant 7–1 victory for the champions.
Credit Photo : JST
