Figueiredo, Bergson Bag Hat-Trick Each As JDT Hit Eight Past Sabah

ISKANDAR PUTERI, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- Joao Figueiredo and Bergson Da Silva helped themselves to a hat-trick each to inspire Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) to an 8-0 win over Sabah FC in their Super League match at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium here tonight.

The Southern Tigers, coached by Xisco Munoz, were irrepressible at the home ground as Oscar Aribas and Raul Parra chipped in with a goal apiece as they tore Sabah to pieces.

Aribas got the ball rolling with a sixth-minute opener after receiving a pass from Figueiredo and, five minutes later, Aribas returned the favour with an assist to Figueiredo, who got his first goal to put JDT 2-0 up.

Figueiredo struck again in the 23rd minute, calmly slotting the ball past Sabah goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat after receiving a pass from Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi.

Parra then made it 4-0 for JDT in the 44th minute, much to the delight of the home fans, before Figueiredo completed his hat-trick in injury time for JDT to troop off at half-time with a commanding 5-0 lead.

The Southern Tigers came back after the break and continued from where they left off, with Bergson notching a hat-trick of his own.

He made it 6-0 by converting a penalty after being fouled by Sabah's S. Dinesh before heading home a corner kick taken by Arif Aiman to make it 7-0 in the 74th minute.

Bergson then capped off the goal fest with another super strike in time added on to complete his hat-trick.

The win sees JDT sit atop the 13-team Super League standings with 18 points from six matches, while Sabah remain in 10th position with three points from three draws and one defeat.

-- BERNAMA