Johor Darul Ta’Zim III secured their third straight with a hard-fought aggregate victory over five-time champions Selangor in the second leg of the Piala Presiden 2024 final on Wednesday at MPPG Stadium, Pasir Gudang.
The triumph at the Pasir Gudang MP Stadium marked JDT III’s fourth overall President’s Cup win, adding to their victories in 2009, 2022, and 2023.
JDT III entered the decisive match with a narrow 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Kelana Jaya, where Danish Syamer and Abdul Raziq scored for the Southern Tigers, while Harry Danish netted Selangor’s consolation goal.
Despite high expectations, the second leg proved to be a tense affair, with both teams failing to capitalize on key opportunities.
JDT started strongly, with G. Pavithran and Irfan Shahkimi spearheading the attack. In the 11th minute, Irfan’s shot tested Selangor’s goalkeeper, and Pavithran’s follow-up effort rattled the crossbar.
Selangor responded with a swift counterattack, nearly equalizing through Alif Farhan, whose powerful long-range effort struck the post.
The first half ended in a stalemate, with neither side breaking the deadlock.
The intensity resumed in the second half as JDT pushed for a decisive goal while Selangor sought to overturn the aggregate deficit. Despite promising build-ups by Izrin Ibrahim and Afiq Danish for Selangor, the breakthrough eluded them.
A dramatic moment came when JDT substitute Danish Syamer found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled offside, much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Selangor’s Harry Danish had a golden opportunity to level the aggregate in the dying minutes, but his shot was comfortably saved by JDT goalkeeper Zulhilmi Saarani, whose heroics preserved the clean sheet.
The match ended 0-0, sealing a 2-1 aggregate victory for JDT III and securing an unprecedented third consecutive title. The achievement underscores JDT III’s dominance in youth football, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in the Piala Presiden.
Credit Photo : JST
