Johor Darul Ta’zim have successfully retained their Malaysia FA Cup title after beating Kuala Lumpur City FC 2-0 in the 2023 final on Saturday night at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. Goals from Nathaniel Shio Hong Wan and Leandro Velazquez were enough for the Southern Tigers to lift their third Malaysia FA Cup title.
While the initial dress rehearsal between the two teams in the Liga Super Malaysia earlier this month was an utterly one-sided affair in favor of JDT, Saturday’s final proper was a much balanced affair, with Kuala Lumpur sitting back and frustrating a dominant JDT side with their tight defense.
The game’s first best chance fell to Kuala Lumpur in the 16th minute, with Matko Zirdum inviting a save from JDT goalie Syihan Hazmi following a superbly-taken free-kick from KL captain Paulo Josue.
Afiq Fazail then came close for JDT in the 35th minute, only for an alert Kevin Ray Mendoza in the Kuala Lumpur goal to deny the defensive midfielder.
After a goalless first half, JDT went straight for the offensive in the second 45, with Bergson managing to seemingly break the deadlock with a goal in the 60th minute. However, much to the protest of the Southern Tigers’ players, the goal was chalked off for offside despite Bergson being onside when Arif Aiman took a shot that was then deflected towards the Brazilian’s direction in the goal’s buildup.
JDT’s disappointment did not last long, however, as they finally took the lead in the 65th minute. Former Wolverhampton Wanderers youngster Hong fired a cannonball from outside the penalty area that finally got the better of Mendoza, making it 1-0 for the Southern Tigers.
And JDT’s lead was further secured in the 73rd minute, with Leandro taking advantage of a rebounded shot to squeeze in an effort between two Kuala Lumpur defenders, sealing JDT’s third Malaysia FA Cup title in the process.
The Malaysia FA Cup triumph was JDT’s second title this season, as the Southern Tigers have already won the 2023 Piala Sumbangsih by beating Terengganu FC 2-0 in February. JDT are also heavy favorites to win this season’s Liga Super with a huge 14-point advantage over 2nd placed Selangor FC, as well as huge favorites to win the 2023 Malaysia Cup later this year.