JOHOR Darul Ta’zim (JDT) may have notched their second consecutive win in the Malaysia Cup but coach Benjamin Mora said he will still have to tweak the Southern Tigers before facing Perak SEDC in Manjung next Friday.
In topping Group B with six points, JDT avenged their 1-0 loss to PJ City in the Super League, which cost them their 75-match unbeaten run at Larkin Stadium.
JDT’s 4-2 victory over PJ City at home on Wednesday was secured with goals from Safawi Rasid (sixth minute), Brazilian Diogo Luis Santo (47th, 72nd) and Argentine Gonxzalo Cabrera (81st).
Replying for the Phoenix were Brazilian striker Washington Brandao and R. Barathkumar in the 59th and 70th minutes.
“We are happy with the results that ended with three points but we have to look into details.
“We have to improve situations that we, ourselves, made complicated because the players knew the difficulties they had to overcome but luckily the team were solid enough to come back with two goals,” said Mora.
PJ City coach K. Devan said the Phoenix lost their concentration after their second goal by Barathkumar.
“What we should have done after we scored the goal, is to get reorganised. I felt like my team had a chance but it only took JDT about a minute to retaliate with their third goal.
“I can say that for JDT’s second, third and fourth goals, my team’s defence was very poor,” said Devan.
“The yellow cards against our imports, Elizeu Batista and Sergio Filho earlier in the match also affected us because it might have put pressure on them.”
In other Malaysia Cup games, newly-promoted Police pulled off a stunning comeback to beat Felda United 4-3 at home despite being one-man down in Group D.
In Group C, Penang, who were docked six league points by Fifa over salary issue with former player Reinaldo Lobo, regrouped to win their first Malaysia Cup match, 2-1 over Sabah.
In Group A, PKNS made up for their disappointing 3-1 loss to Terengganu in their Malaysia Cup opener with a 2-1 win over Negri Sembilan in Paroi.
PKNS will battle newly-crowned FA Cup champions Kedah at the Shah Alam Stadium next Friday in their bid to qualify for the quarter-finals. Perak SEDC have a date with six-time Super League champions JDT.
Today’s round of matches will see 33-time Malaysia Cup champions Selangor take on Melaka at Hang Jebat Stadium while Kedah host Terengganu. Perak SEDC travel to Kuala Lumpur to meet Uitm while Pahang receive a visit from defending champions Perak.
MALAYSIA CUP — RESULTS
Group A: Kedah 0 Terengganu 2;
Group B: UiTM 0 Perak SEDC 2;
Group C: Pahang 3 Perak 0;
Group D: Melaka 0 Selangor 1.