Johor Darul Ta’Zim is still on the top of the table after opening home beating Melaka United with a score of 4-0 in the Liga Super Malaysia 2022 at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri.
In that match, JDT midfielder Leandro Velazquez tested goalkeeper Brian See as early as the fifth minute but was saved and even a minute later Brian had to deflect Arif Aiman Hanapi’s attempted ball.
Starting from Corbin Ong’s pass in the 12th minute on the left wing, JDT’s prolific striker Fernando Forestieri didn’t hesitate as he quickly curled the ball into the left corner of the goal past Brian to put the home side 1-0 up.
The ferocity of JDT failed to be stopped by Asri Ninggal’s protégé after scoring the second goal in the match through a combination of Forestieri who passed the ball straight to Bergson Da Silva who quickly shot the ball when he was in the penalty box making Brian transfixed as he watched the ball hit the net in the 32nd minute.
It turned out that throughout the first half, Bidoglio’s proteges easily destroyed the defense of the Hang Tuah squad who clearly lost the momentum of the game and had to “camp” in their own area to avoid the goal being conceded.
However, the visiting team’s efforts did not work, instead the third goal came for JDT when the action entered the 42nd minute when Corbin once again became a feeder for Bergson who had time to chest the ball before shooting the ball straight into the left corner beating Brian who was just watching the ball hit the net.
Continuing the second half, JDT dominated the game and almost added a goal in the 53rd minute, but Bergson’s curling kick was saved by Brian who bent down to catch the ball.
Bergson completed his hat-trick with five minutes to go after finishing off substitute Syafiq Ahmad’s ball.
The victory saw JDT now collect 41 points and it is even more interesting when the unbeaten record of the Southern Tigers squad still stands, giving a glimpse of how the team managed by Hector Bidoglio is getting closer to grabbing the league title for the ninth time in a row.
Credit Photo : Mohd Hairi/SNE Images
