Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) began the 2026/27 Malaysia football season spectacularly, defeating Kuching City FC 3-0 at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri, to lift the Piala Sumbangsih.
The victory delivered two major achievements for the Southern Tigers on a night of history.
JDT secured their first trophy of the new season while simultaneously extending their extraordinary unbeaten run to 109 consecutive matches, officially establishing a new world record for the longest unbeaten league run.
The result also marked another major milestone in the club’s remarkable era of domestic dominance under head coach Xisco Muñoz.
JDT started the match with a strong attacking lineup led by Bergson da Silva, Nahuel Leiva, Marcos Guilherme and captain Arif Aiman Hanapi.
Four JDT players — Bergson, Manuel Hidalgo, Brad Tapp and Shane Lowry — were registered as local players and featured in the starting XI.
Kuching City, meanwhile, relied on Gabriel Peres and captain James Okwuosa to lead the defence.
The visitors struggled to make an impact during the opening 45 minutes.
Their attacking trio of Ronald Ngah Wanja, Gabriel Nistelrooy and Aliff Hassan found it difficult to break through a JDT defence marshalled by Kevin Medina, with Antonio Glauder also helping to shut down Kuching’s attacking moves.
In the 11th minute, the hosts opened the scoring. Marcos Guilherme exchanged passes with Bergson before unleashing a powerful strike that beat Malaysia goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli.
Kuching attempted to respond, but their attacking moves continued to break down before they could seriously threaten JDT’s goal.
The Southern Tigers therefore entered half-time with their advantage intact.
Kuching City head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak responded at the interval with three substitutions.
National team winger Ramadhan Saifullah Usman, Nur Shamie Iszuan Amin and Jordanian playmaker Ahmed Israiwah were introduced in an attempt to add creativity and attacking energy.
The changes produced an immediate improvement. Ramadhan nearly made an instant impact in the 51st minute when his looping header appeared destined for goal, only for goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi Mohamed to make an important save.
But just four minutes later, JDT delivered a devastating response.
In the 55th minute, Oscar Arribas found space in front of the Kuching defence before unleashing a powerful strike that flew beyond Haziq Nadzli.
The goal gave JDT firm control of the match and put them within touching distance of both the trophy and history.
Kuching continued searching for a way back into the contest, but JDT remained composed and dangerous.
The decisive third goal arrived in the 86th minute. Iranian striker Shahab Zahedi initially saw his effort denied by Haziq, but the forward reacted quickest to the rebound and fired home.
The goal sealed a convincing victory for the Southern Tigers. The victory carried significance far beyond the Piala Sumbangsih.
By avoiding defeat, JDT reached 109 matches unbeaten, surpassing the previous record attributed to ASEC Mimosas and now officially recognised as holding the world’s longest unbeaten run in league football, adding another remarkable chapter to the club’s rapid rise over the past decade.
JDT will return to Malaysia Super League action on 26 August, when they host newcomers Kelantan Red Warrior FC.
Kuching City will also be in action on the same day, travelling to Cheras to face Kuala Lumpur City.
Credit Photo : HongZheng Lim/SNE-Photo
