Johor Darul Ta’Zim keep an advantage in the first match after beating Kuala Lumpur City scoring 2-1 in the Unifi Piala Malaysia 2024/25 Quarter-Final first leg at KLFA Stadium, Cheras.
JDT dominated the match early, with clear scoring opportunities in the third and 11th minutes through Bergson and Oscar Arribas. However, both attempts were comfortably saved by KL City FC goalkeeper Azri Ghani, who had a busy night protecting his goal.
The home side’s best chance of the first half came in the 21st minute when Jovan Motika’s curling free kick narrowly sailed over the bar, leaving the home crowd frustrated.
JDT finally broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when Bergson showcased his clinical finishing. The Brazilian forward expertly turned past the KL City defense before slotting the ball past Azri to give the visitors a well-deserved lead.
The second half saw JDT maintain their attacking momentum, but KL City’s resilient defense kept them at bay. Arif Aiman Hanapi had a golden opportunity to extend JDT’s lead in a one-on-one situation with Azri, but his effort lacked precision and failed to find the net.
Persistence paid off for JDT in the 78th minute when Heberty Fernandes delivered a stunning curling strike to double the advantage. The visitors looked set to close out the game with a comfortable margin until Brendan Gan produced a moment of brilliance in the 88th minute.
The KL City captain executed an acrobatic scissor kick to pull one back, ensuring a tense finish to the match.
With the aggregate score standing at 2-1, the battle for a semi-final spot is wide open. Fans can expect fireworks at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, as both teams prepare for a thrilling conclusion to this quarter-final tie.
The result sets the stage for an intense second-leg showdown at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on December 21, as both teams remain in contention for a semi-final berth.
Credit Photo : JST
