Now for the Malaysia Cup

Worthy champions: Johor Darul Ta’zim players and team officials celebrating their fourth consecutive Super League title at the Larkin Stadium on Wednesday. — ABDUL RAHMAN EMBONG / The Star

JOHOR BARU: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are ready to switch their attention to the Malaysia Cup after wrapping up their fourth straight Super League title.

Head coach Ulisses Morais said the Southern Tigers can snare the country’s most prestigious Cup if the players can keep their winning momentum going.

“When I took over three months ago, the players had yet to show their true potential. But now they have proven themselves to be the best in Malaysia.

“The cooperation and commitment given by everyone – the players, coaching staff and management – helped raise our performance,” said Morais.

The Portuguese coach said this after watching JDT crush Kelantan 3-0 before lifting the Super League trophy for the fourth consecutive time in front of more than 18,000 fans at the Larkin Stadium on Wed­nes­day.

Goals from defender S. Kunalan in the 19th minute, Argentine Gonzalo Cabrera (36th) and captain Safiq Rahim (55th) also ensured JDT stayed unbeaten at their Larkin Stadium for five Super League seasons.

JDT also have one foot in the Ma­­laysia Cup semi-finals after troun­cing Melaka 4-1 in the quarter-final first-leg tie at the Hang Jebat Stadium on Sept 15.

Melaka will travel to Johor Baru to face JDT in the return leg at the Larkin Stadium on Sunday.

But Morais has warned his men to tread with caution.

“We must continue to respect Melaka as challengers. I will not let my men take Melaka lightly despite our three-goal cushion,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kelantan head coach Zahasmi Ismail said that he was disappointed with the loss to JDT as it pushed the Red Warriors closer to the drop zone.

“But I’m optimistic that we can avoid relegation. We still have two games left, so the players must improve and make sure they collect the maximum six points,” he said.

Kelantan are 10th in the 12-team league with 18 points, just a point above Sarawak. Penang are virtual­ly doomed for relegation with 12 points.

The bottom two teams will be relegated to next season’s Premier League.