KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) bounced back in style with a 5-1 thrashing of Sabah in Wednesday's Super League match at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu.
JDT's Brazilian striker Bergson da Silva was the star of the show by bagging a hat-trick to clinch their 19th consecutive win in the league.
The Rhinos took the lead in the 13th minute through Jafri Firdaus Chew to the delight of home fans.
But it was one-way traffic after that.
Sabah's lead only lasted three minutes when Juan Muniz struck the equaliser with a powerful drive.
Da Silva then put JDT in the lead in the 25th minute before compatriot Heberty Fernandes gave the visitors a two-goal cushion in the 48th minute.
Da Silva, the 2022 Golden Boot winner, claimed his hat-trick in the 62nd minute to bring his tally this season to 15.
JDT lead the standings with 57 points, while Sabah are fifth with 36 points.