Bullseye!: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Bergson Da Silva celebrating after scoring against Kedah during the Super League match. — JDT FC
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim showed no mercy as they hammered Kedah 6-0 in their Super League match but none of the goals came from winger Arif Aiman Hanapi.
Young Southern Tigers star Arif has yet to open hia account in the league but coach Hector Bidoglio is not pressing the panic button. He was one of the main scorers last season.
He denied that the 22-year-ol Arif is going through a confidence crisis.
“Arif played well and for your information, this season, he already has five assists, which is good for a player who has played four league matches,” said Bidoglio.
“Sometimes he is too eager in front of goal because he wants to score. He needs to be patient. The goals will come for him. You can see he is getting stronger game by game.”
On Friday at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva was the toast of JDT when he scored a hattrick in the eighth, 35th and 64th minutes to continue dominating the league’s goal scoring chart with nine goals. Da Silva’s first goal was an exquisite volley from outside the box, while the other two showed his prowess as a top quality finisher in the penalty box.
The other goals for the Southern Tigers were scored by centreback Feroz Baharudin (74th), Brazilian wingback Murilo Henrique (76th) and midfielder Afiq Fazail (80th).
With the win, JDT cemented the top spot with 22 points from eight games. Bidoglio was pleased with his team’s perfect game plan against one of the best sides in Malaysia.
“Our high pressing got us the result we wanted. We moved the ball quick and whenever they had the ball, we attacked them with our pressing,” said the Venezuelan.
“The intensity and dynamism throughout the game was good. I’ve to thank my players for producing such a good performance.”
It was a strong showing after the 1-1 draw with Police in their last league fixture.
Bidoglio is hoping for his strikers, led by Da Silva, will keep the momentum going in their upcoming games, especially the FA Cup final against Selangor at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Aug 24.
“I’m happy for Bergson. Not just Bergson, but everyone has been good including those who came off the bench.
“It is important for the squad to get this momentum ahead of the FA Cup final. We should not relax and that is something that I will keep telling my players.”
