KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) added another feather to their achievements when they became the first team to win four consecutive Malaysia Cup titles after beating Kuching City FC 2-0 in the 2025-2026 Malaysia Cup final at National Stadium, Bukit Jalil here last night (May 23).
Before last night’s win, JDT were tied with three other teams – Selangor, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur – who have won three consecutive Malaysia Cup titles.
The Southern Tigers’ two goals came in the second half, courtesy of Marcos Guilherme and substitute, Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi, in the second half of a tightly contested match.
In the first half, JDT’s Bergson Da Silva had at least two shots at goal, in the 10th minute when his close-range shot was saved by Kuching City’s goalkeeper, Muhammad Haziq Nadzli, and two minutes later, when his goal was ruled out due to a foul.
Kuching City also had two chances at goal in the first half, but Muhammd Ramadhan Saifullah Usman first attempt went wide in front of an open goal in the 19th minute, while his second long range shot from outside the penalty box was deflected by JDT goalkeeper, Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed, in the 32nd minute.
In the second half, Haziq’s skills were once again tested when he saved an attempt by Oscar Arribas in the 52nd minute, and three minutes later, Kuching City’s counterattack ended with Jerome Mpacko Etame’s shot being caught squarely by Ahmad Syihan.
Kuching City’s best shot at goal came through a penalty in the 61st minute, but Ramadhan failed to convert it, and JDT finally gained the lead after 81 grueling minutes when Guilherme lobbed in a ball off a cross from Oscar Arribas.
With victory in sight, JDT gave their fans more reason to celebrate when Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi , who came on as a substitute in the 65th minute to make his first appearance after a six-month recovery, scored in the final minute, his shot defecting off the goalpost before bouncing into the net to end the match 2-0.
Last night’s Malaysia Cup victory is also JDT’s sixth Cup title overall, having previously won in 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024-2025.
Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, were among those who watched the final at the stadium last night. – BERNAMA
