PETALING JAYA: Brazilian striker Heberty Fernandes may be 35 years old but he is putting his younger teammates in the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) squad to shame.
Fernandes only joined the team on loan from Thai club Bangkok United last July but has scored nine goals and four assists in 10 domestic matches, thanks to his work rate and passion for the game.
In the Malaysia Cup, he has been a stellar example, starting in five games, scoring five and assisting two to help JDT get into the final.
Statistically, Fernandes has been impressive but what makes him a standout is his all-around display, which has seen coach Esteban Solari singing praises of the all-time Thai League top scorer, who scored 159 goals in 249 league matches in Thailand.
“I’m pleased with Heberty. He is so committed to the team. We look for this kind of player all the time,” said the Argentinian.
“He is 35 but never stops running. We know what he can do upfront but the fact that he runs back to recover the ball so that we can keep our possession, is simply admirable. As a coach, what more can I ask?” said Solari.
In the second-leg semi final against Perak, Fernandes scored two goals in the 30th and 90th minutes to help the Southern Tigers win 8-1.
The other goals were scored by Brazilian strikers Bergson Da Silva (27th and 58th minutes); substitute striker Syafiq Ahmad (61st, 76th); winger Arif Aiman Hanapi (11th) and Argentinian striker Fernando Forestieri (52nd).
Perak scored their solitary goal through substitute midfielder Firdaus Ahmad Fuad in the 92nd minute.
JDT qualified for the final again thanks to a healthy 12-2 aggregate, after winning the first-leg 4-1.
Fernandes said the result was good and they want to bound back in the AFC Champions League Group I campaign after losing to South Korean club Ulsan Hyundai 3-1 on Oct 28.
They face Ulsan in the return fixture at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Tuesday.
“The game against Perak was a preparation for the game against Ulsan. It was nice to score two against Perak but we have a long way to go. We have to focus on the Champions League and then the Malaysia Cup final,” he said.
“When I first joined JDT, they won the FA Cup final by beating Kuala Lumpur 2-0. I wasn’t part of that match but I knew how dominant JDT were in Malaysia.
“The team’s mentality makes you want to grow, even at my age. I’m loving my time here so far.”
