KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor were made to look like schoolboys in Friday's 4-0 thrashing by Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in a Super League match at MBPJ Stadium.
The statement away win showed that the Southern Tigers mean business as they chase their 10th straight league crown.
JDT are undefeated with a maximum of 15 points from their five opening matches, while it was Selangor's first defeat of the season.
The Red Giants thought they had done well following a goalless first half.
However, JDT fired on all cylinders in the second half and scored through Juan Muniz (55th minute), Diogo Santo (66th) and Fernando Forestieri (77th and 82nd).
Incredibly JDT have scored three or more goals in their last four matches — three away from home.
"It was a crucial game as we were playing against a rival for the league title," said JDT coach Esteban Solari after the game.
"Selangor have good players and a great coach, so we came here prepared for a difficult game.
"My players showed character to score four goals.
"In the first half, we created chances but could not convert. We had struggled with the transition. However, we were more effective in the second half."
For Selangor, who have 10 points, it was a bitter pill to swallow in a season where they hope to end their title drought in the M-League since 2015.
Yet there will be positives for coach Tan Cheng Hoe to take, having seen his side hold ground in the opening 45 minutes.
The Red Giants could have scored in the first half had they taken their chances.
"We lost to a better team. We managed to match them in the first half. This is something we can learn from because the season is still long," said Cheng Hoe.
"In football, we have to be focused from the first to the last minute, not just playing well in the opening half.
"Maybe the changes impacted the game as I had to take Yazan (Al-Arab) off for the second half as he was one of several players already on a yellow card. I could not take the risk of a red.
"We lost shape in the second half, and they punished us. The boys must learn what to do when losing possession and how to react."