Painful encounter: JDT’s Bergson Da Silva yells in pain after being fouled by a Terengganu player (left) during their Super League match on Friday. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) Brazilian striking sensation Bergson Da Silva produced a masterclass performance by scoring a hattrick to help his club beat Terengganu 4-0 in the Super League at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Friday.
But first, it was veteran Brazilian striker Heberty Fernandes who got the ball rolling for the Southern Tigers with a superb left-footed curler in the sixth minute.
Inspired by that effort, Da Silva turned on the boosters by scoring three goals in the 32nd, 64th and 92nd minute.
That brilliant individual performance saw the 33-year-old move to the top of the goal scoring chart with six goals from six matches.
The former Busan I’Park striker said he was focused on getting the win.
JDT have remained unbeaten in six matches, and they have won all their games to stay top of the league with 18 points.
“I will be honest, since joining the club in 2021, I have not focused on the numbers. My hunger in every game is to score goals and help my club win matches,” said Da Silva.
“Only when the season ends, that is when I see how many goals I have scored.
“Even when Terengganu kept going defensive, we just knew that by pushing ourselves further, we would get the goals, and four is a good sum against a top side like Terengganu.
“We showed our character and identity.”
Da Silva said he was enjoying his partnership with naturalised Colombian playmaker Romel Morales.
“I’m delighted with how things are developing with him. But the team are not powered by both of us. We are a team who want to win games and continuously improve our football,” he said.
Meanwhile, Terengganu coach Tomislav Steinbruckner said the better team won and did not want to bemoan some of the decisions made by match official Fitri Maskon.
Terengganu were down with 10 men as early as the 32nd minute when centreback Ubaidullah Samsul Fazili was said to have fouled Da Silva in the penalty box after several reviews by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
The decision did not go well with Terengganu as they felt the foul was not worth the red card.
“After the red card, we struggled for a better result. Losing 0-4, we cannot be happy. After the early goal, a nice goal from Heberty, they pushed us,” he said.
“We made individual and collective mistakes, and we allowed too many crosses. After 0-2, we tried to play but they were dangerous in front of goal. We weren’t on the same level with JDT.
“Penalty, red card and goals. Three punishments that decided the match.
“JDT are a much better team and they do not need the help of the referees.”
Terengganu remained fourth in the league with eight points from five games.
