Takahiro Kunimoto celebrates his first goal against Kelantan. - Photo by JDT FC
PETALING JAYA: Defending Malaysia Cup champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) got to the quarter-finals of the competition in style by thrashing Kelantan 15-1 on aggregate in the Round of 16.
After annihilating the Red Warriors 5-1 in the first-leg, the Southern Tigers continued clawing their opponents by whooping the East Coast side 10-0 in the second-leg at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Saturday (Aug 19).
Debutant Japanese midfielder Takehiro Kunimoto stole the show with a virtuoso performance in midfield and scored two goals in the 24th and 37th minute.
Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva got a hattrick in the 21st, 43rd and 73rd minute.
The other goals were scored by Spaniard midfielder Juan Muniz in the 54th minute, playmaker Daryl Sham George in the 59th minute, Brazilian striker Heberty Fernandes in the 60th minute, winger Arif Aiman Hanapi in the 63rd minute and midfielder Aysar Hadi Shapri in the 92nd minute.
The 10-0 scoreline is the highest so far this season in all competitions as JDT continue to break every domestic record this season.
Meanwhile, Sabah got to the quarter-final after beating Kuching 4-1 on aggregate. In the second-leg, the Rhinos were held 1-1 at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu on Saturday.
Selangor also booked a spot in the quarter-final despite losing to Police 1-2 in the second-leg, as they notched a 5-3 aggregate from the two legs.
