Johor Darul Ta’zim etched their name deeper into Malaysian football history after defeating Kuching City 2-0 in the Piala Malaysia 2025/26 Final at the TM National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur.
The victory saw the Southern Tigers become the first club ever to win four consecutive Malaysia Cup titles while also completing an extraordinary fourth straight domestic quadruple.
It was the perfect ending to another dominant season for JDT, who had already lifted the Charity Shield, FA Cup and a record-extending 12th consecutive Super League crown, in addition to maintaining their astonishing 108-match unbeaten run in league competition.
Despite entering the final as favourites, JDT were pushed all the way by a spirited Kuching City side that refused to be intimidated on the grand stage.
Bergson Da Silva thought he had given JDT the lead as early as the 12th minute when he found the back of the net, only for the goal to be ruled out after the Brazilian was judged to have fouled a defender in the build-up.
Kuching City nearly stunned the defending champions shortly after when Ramadhan Saifullah failed to convert from close range after meeting a dangerous cross from Joao Pedro.
JDT gradually increased the pressure approaching halftime, with substitute Ager Aketxe forcing goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli into action before the Kuching City shot-stopper produced two superb saves to deny Bergson and Nacho Mendez late in the first half.
The second half continued with relentless JDT attacks, but Kuching City’s defensive organisation and Haziq’s heroics kept the underdogs alive. The goalkeeper again stood tall to deny efforts from Oscar Arribas and Bergson as the Southern Tigers searched desperately for the breakthrough.
Then came the defining moment of the final. Kuching City were awarded a penalty in the 60th minute after La’Vere Corbin-Ong brought down Ramadhan inside the box. However, Ramadhan squandered the golden opportunity by dragging his penalty wide of the right post, leaving JDT breathing a huge sigh of relief.
The miss proved costly. After wave upon wave of pressure, JDT finally broke the deadlock in the 80th minute when Marcos Guilherme produced a sublime lobbed finish that sailed beyond Haziq and into the net, sending the Bukit Jalil crowd into eruption.
The night became even more emotional in stoppage time when Arif Aiman marked his return from a six-month hamstring injury layoff with a clinical low finish to seal the victory and ignite wild celebrations among the JDT faithful.
Credit Photo : Simon Yap/SNE-Photo
