We are the champs: JDT players celebrate their big win against Selangor in the FA Cup final. - Bernama
PETALING JAYA: The roar of the Red Giants was effectively silenced by Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) who ran riot in the FA Cup final by completing their hattrick with a 6-1 win at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.
The absence of captain Jordi Amat did little to dampen the spirit of the Southern Tigers as the star-studded team secured their third consecutive title after winning in 2022 and 2023.
Overall, it was their fourth FA Cup success as their first was registered in 2016 when they defeated PKNS 2-1 at the Shah Alam stadium.
Selangor came with the right intent and matched the far superior JDT in the early stages of the first half but a well taken freekick goal by Juan Muniz in the 26th minute started the ball rolling.
Winger Arif Aiman Hanapi punished Selangor’s shaky defence as he headed in the second goal in the 44th minute to stroll confidently into the second half.
However, Selangor struck back almost immediately in the second half as striker Alvin Fortes hit a grounder from the edge of the box past Hairmau Malaya goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi in the 59th minute to stay alive.
Cape Verde player Fortes was easily the best player for Selangor besides captain Safuan Baharudin whose strength in aerial duels managed to keep JDT at bay on many occasions.
Despite Selangor’s valiant efforts, JDT kept pressing hard to extend their advantage and their star striker, Bergson da Silva, who had been having an average game in the first half, scored the third goal in the 62nd minute to kill off the contest
Spaniard Muniz crushed Selangor fans’ hearts when he curled in a beauty with his left foot in the 67th minute while Brazilian Heberty Fernandes added a fifth for JDT in the 76th minute to make it a night to forget for the Red Giants.
And just before the final whistle, Muniz scored his hattrick at the 90th minute.
