In a tussle: JDT’s Arif Aiman Hanapi (left) vying for the ball with Kelantan’s S. Reegan Abraham during the Malaysia Cup round-of-16 match. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are simply unstoppable.
The Southern Tigers put up a roaring show to thrash Kelantan 10-0 in the last 16 return-leg to coolly enter the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Cup at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Saturday.
The defending champions had beaten the Red Warriors 5-1 in the first leg and thanks to another big win in the second leg, they advance to the next stage with a staggering 15-1 aggregate.
The 10-0 scoreline is the biggest win this season in all competitions and JDT are also the first team in the domestic competition to score more than 100 goals – 108 to be precise – in just 26 matches.
In the game against the hapless Kelantan, debutant Japanese Takehiro Kunimoto was instrumental in the success as not only did he control the midfield but went on to slot in two goals in the 24th and 37th minutes.
Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva got a hattrick in the 21st, 43rd and 73rd minute while his countryman Heberty Fernandes hit one in the 60th minute.
The other goals were scored by Spaniard midfielder Juan Muniz (54th), playmaker Daryl Sham George (59th), winger Arif Aiman Hanapi (63rd) and midfielder Aysar Hadi Shapri (92nd).
Instead of gloating in their fantastic win, Da Silva said the team would turn their attention to the next match.
They will face the winners of the game between Kelantan United and Negri Sembilan.
“The support from the crowd in Iskandar Puteri was good, as always. That spurred us on to give our all and get to the next round in such a superb fashion,” said the 32-year-old.
“Now, we have to focus on the next challenge, which is the quarter-finals. We hope to go all the way.”
Coach Esteban Solari lauded his boys for their professionalism on the field.
“We are satisfied. It was more about us and our game. Daryl, Aysar, and Syahmi (Safari) are not regulars but they stepped up to play their part. Safiq (Rahim) played as a central midfielder, which is not his usual position but he impressed us all,” he said.
“I am satisfied because they pushed themselves in training and proved they have what it takes to play in a big team.
“Takehiro also scored two goals in his debut. We wanted him to have minutes but engaged with the team really fast. He created lots of chances, knowing when to exploit movements and spaces.
“I always say the same, we compete with ourselves. We always want to do better. We respect opponents but respect means being professional with our game.
“We wanted goals, a clean sheet and possession of play. My boys showed great professionalism in terms of taking on games.”
