[UPDATED] JDT roar in triumph over FA Cup win, concluding 3-1 against TFC

KUALA LUMPUR – Southern Tigers Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) roared tonight at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, beating Terengganu FC (TFC) 3-1 in a nail-biting final to win the FA Cup. 

JDT scored its first goal through Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi in the 34th minute as he unleashed a powerful left-foot shot beating TFC goalkeeper Muhammad Rahadiazli Rahalim at the near post.

In the first half, TFC captain Tchetche Kipre squandered his chance for an equaliser when he shot straight into JDT goalkeeper Farizal Marlias.

Soon JDT pulled ahead with Bergson Da Silva converting a penalty in the 63rd minute.

TFC, however, narrowed the gap at the 76th minute through Kipre following a defensive error and a howler by goalkeeper Farizal Marlias.

Minutes after, Da Silva sealed the win for JDT with his second goal after another goalkeeping error at the 78th minute.

Arif Aiman was also named best player.

After the match, JDT head coach Hector Bidoglio thanked the club owner, Crown Prince of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and everyone in the club for believing in him to lead the team.

“I am very happy because our team won the final, but mostly proud of the team with the way we won the game.

“The players handled the pressure well and they had good possession of the ball.

“(Goalkeeper) Farizal (Marlias) also did a fantastic job as he has always been, but today he proved his worth as team captain,” he said in a press conference after the match.

Argentinian Bidoglio had only been the head coach of JDT since July 28, replacing Mexican Benjamin Mora.

Meanwhile, TFC head coach Nafuzi Zain admitted that their opponents had the upper hand, especially with ball possession and player experience.

However, he had no regrets over how his team has performed, saying, “I apologise to the fans for coming out here. They went all out to support the team only to be left disappointed.

“I believe in my players and they have done their best tonight. On a positive note, we made it to the final which was a good learning process for the team.”

Being in the final was Nafuzi’s first and biggest achievement in the FA Cup as the head coach of TFC.

In conjunction with the win, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, has declared tomorrow a public holiday for Johor. 

A total of 84,321 supporters turned out at the stadium.

JDT last won the FA Cup in 2016 when they defeated PKNS 2-1 at the Shah Alam Stadium.

This is JDT’s second title this season, having won the Charity Shield by defeating Kuala Lumpur City FC 3-0 in February. – The Vibes, September 10, 2022