Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) strengthened its grip on the top spot in the Liga Super after a commanding 3-0 victory over DPMM FC at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri, with Bergson da Silva scoring twice before Juan Diego Molina Martinez completed the win.
The match was originally scheduled to be played at Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan, but worsening haze conditions across Borneo, particularly in Brunei, forced the fixture to be relocated to Johor.
DPMM handed former Selangor FC goalkeeper Samuel Somerville his debut, while JDT head coach Xisco Muñoz relied on Bergson and Shahab Zahedi to lead the attack alongside Nahuel Leiva and Arif Aiman Hanapi.
JDT immediately went on the offensive, with their attacking quartet looking for an early breakthrough.
However, DPMM produced a disciplined defensive display, operating in a compact 5-4-1 formation to absorb JDT’s pressure and frustrate the hosts.
The Southern Tigers eventually found the breakthrough in the 38th minute, although Bergson’s initial goal was ruled out for offside.
VAR intervened, with referee Mohd Hafizuan Mohd Khair reviewing the incident before the goal was eventually awarded, giving JDT a crucial lead.
Just two minutes later, Bergson struck again.
After beating the visiting defence, Arif Aiman delivered a perfectly weighted pass into the path of the naturalised Malaysia international, who made no mistake in finishing past Somerville to make it 2-0.
DPMM thought they had conceded a third goal shortly before half-time when Bergson appeared to complete his hat-trick.
However, the effort was ruled out, meaning JDT entered the break with a two-goal advantage.
JDT continued to dominate after the restart, piling pressure on DPMM in search of another goal.
The visitors’ defence, led by Nick Swirad, was forced into another demanding shift as they attempted to contain the relentless attacks.
Muñoz then introduced Stoichkov and Nacho Méndez to provide additional creativity in the final third.
DPMM responded by bringing on Farris Izdiham and Jordan Murray as they searched for a way back into the contest.
JDT later sent on Jairo da Silva to support Bergson and Stoichkov in attack, and the move quickly paid dividends.
In the 77th minute, Juan Diego Molina Martinez found the net to score his first goal for the Southern Tigers and put the result beyond doubt at 3-0.
JDT continued to push for more goals until the final whistle, but the three-goal advantage remained intact.
The victory keeps JDT at the top of the Liga Super standings with 12 points, reinforcing their early dominance in the campaign.
The Southern Tigers will return to action on 11 September when they face Negeri Sembilan FC.
DPMM FC, meanwhile, will travel to Borneo rivals Sabah FC for a regional showdown at Likas Stadium on 13 September.
