PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) Brazilian striker Heberty Fernandes produced his A game among a cast of reserves to inspire the Southern Tigers to a 3-0 win over A1 Semi-Pro League side Kuala Lumpur Rovers in their Malaysia Cup round of 16 first leg match yesterday.
JDT coach Hector Bidoglio’s decision to field his second string line-up, with only Fernandes as the first-choice player, proved a sound one as the hitman single-handedly won the game with a gem of a hattrick.
The 36-year-old delighted the home crowd at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri with three beautiful strikes.
The former Muangthong United player drew first blood in the 26th minute, curling in a free-kick from 25m out which caught KL Rovers goalkeeper Ahmad Asyraaf Omar off-guard.
Four minutes later, Fernandes topped that with a devastating scissor kick inside the penalty box off a sumptuous cross from leftback La’vere Corbin-Ong.
The scoreline then remained 2-0 up to the 71st minute as JDT were guilty of missing several good chances and the Rovers defence were able to keep their tactical shape well to frustrate the defending champions.
But there was no denying Fernandes his treble, as he capped his brilliant night with a low-drilled, long-range screamer in the 71st minute to ensure JDT a comfy cushion for the second-leg match on Nov 30, also at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
