Looking for a way through: JDT’s Bergson Da Silva (right) in action during the Malaysia Cup quarter-final match at the Cheras Football Stadium. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) star striker Bergson Da Silva is looking forward to playing for Malaysia.
The Brazilian confirmed his intention to don the national colours after his boss and Johor regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (TMJ) said the player was in line for naturalisation soon.
In fact, TMJ said the mercurial player could be a short-term solution to remedy the national attack.
Under FIFA eligibility rules, a player over 21 is eligible to play for the nation if he has stayed in the country for five years. Da Silva has been in Malaysia since 2021.
“Honestly, I never thought about this when I arrived in this country nearly five years ago. I’m happy to be here in Malaysia and playing for this club, with all the support I have received from my boss (Tunku Ismail),” said Da Silva.
“If the opportunity arises, I will give my all.
“I’m honoured with the acceptance of the supporters who are always with me, and this an additional motivation for me to represent Harimau Malaya one day.”
Da Silva starred again for JDT in their 2-1 win against Kuala Lumpur in the Malaysia Cup quarter-final first-leg game at the Cheras Football Stadium on Friday.
He scored the first goal in the 33rd minute by fooling two defenders with a swivelled shot.
JDT added their second in the 79th minute thanks to a cool finish from Brazilian playmaker Heberty Fernandes, but the City Boys cut the deficit when midfielder Brendan Gan, who was deployed as centreback in the match, scored a nice scissor kick goal in the 89th minute.
For a one-goal advantage, the defending Malaysia Cup champions certainly had to dig deep to beat a side devoid of their stars.
“This was a tough away encounter, but we got the one-goal advantage and won before the second leg in SSI (Stadium Sultan Ibrahim) on Dec 21,” said the 33-year-old Da Silva, who has scored 26 goals in all competitions for the club.
“We knew it would be tough against a team that were tactically organised but we did our job. We will do even better in the second leg and get to the next stage.”
Though defeated, many praised Kuala Lumpur’s performance in the game as they were sound tactically and did so without several key men like Australian centreback Giancarlo Gallifuoco (suspension), playmaker Paulo Josue, winger Haqimi Azim Rosli, fullback Declan Lambert (AFF Cup) and centreback Nicholas Swirad (knee injury).
