KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), thrashed PDRM FC 10-1, with winger Teto Martin stealing the spotlight by netting a double hat-trick in the first leg of the Malaysia Cup 2025/2026 Round of 16 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri today.
Teto, whose real name is Alberto Martin Diaz, opened the scoring in the second minute, before doubling the lead for JDT five minutes later.
Nazmi Faiz Mansor added the hosts’ third goal in the 48th minute before Teto completed his hat-trick in the 50th minute, although the visitors managed a consolation through Mohamad Imran Samso in the 60th minute.
JDT continued their onslaught with Teto adding three more goals, while Marcos Guilherme struck twice and Manuel Hidalgo also got on the scoresheet to seal a huge victory for the Southern Tigers.
The result puts JDT in the best possible position to advance to the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals ahead of the return leg at the same venue next Saturday.
Meanwhile, Penang FC took a one-goal advantage after defeating Kuching City FC 1-0 in another Round of 16 match at the City Stadium this afternoon.
New Brazilian import, Douglas Coutinho Gomes de Souza, emerged as the Black Panthers’ hero after scoring the match’s only goal on his debut for the team in the 40th minute.
Kuching City had chances to draw level through several attempts by Yuki Tanigawa and Muhammad Ramadhan Saifullah Usman, but failed to break down the hosts’ solid defence.
Penang FC almost added another goal through substitute striker, Dylan Wenzel-Halls, but his effort in injury time was ruled out for offside. – BERNAMA
