FA CUP: JDT SOUND EARLY WARNING AS SABAH GO ON GOAL FEST

ISKANDAR PUTERI, June 15 (Bernama) -- Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) sounded an early warning of their intentions to defend the FA Cup title when they trounced Kelantan Darul Naim (KDN) FC 4-0 in a first-round match at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium here tonight.

In the quarter-finals later this month, the Southern Tigers will take on semi-pro League A1 side Malaysian University, who stunned PDRM 3-0 on Wednesday.

In tonight's action, JDT had to wait until almost the end of the first half to open accounts through a header by strike sensation Fernando Forestieri off a cross from Murilo Henrique in the 44th minute.

The home team, under the guidance of Hector Bidoglio, doubled their lead in the 61st minute when substitute striker Romel Morales was quickest to react when KDN FC goalkeeper Mohd Muhaimin Mohamad could only parry the spot kick taken by Juan Muniz.

Coach Bidoglio's strategy paid off again when another substitute, Francisco Geraldes, got his name on the scoresheet in the 81st minute before wing wizard Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi wrapped up the proceedings by slotting home a spot kick in added time in the second half.

JDT are looking good to bag their fourth FA Cup trophy after winning it in 2016, 2022 and 2023 while Johor FA won it in 1998.

Over in KOTA KINABALU, home team Sabah FC checked into the quarter-finals in style when they hammered League A1 side Kuala Lumpur (KL) Rovers 7-0 in another first-round match at the Likas Stadium.

Sabah import striker Ramon Machado stole the show when he bagged a hat-trick in the 28th, 45th and 59th minutes.

Sabah, under the guidance of coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee, got four more goals through Saddil Ramdani (17th minute); Park Tae-su (51st); Jafri Firdaus Chew (73rd) and an own goal by Raffli Nagoorgani in added time in the second half.

Sabah, winners of the FA Cup in 1995, will take on two-time champions Terengganu FC in the last eight.

-- BERNAMA