PETALING JAYA: Brazilian playmaker Heberty Fernandes is happy to enter his second Malaysia Cup final.
Fernandes was the hero of the team as Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) beat Terengganu 2-1 in the Malaysia Cup second leg semi-finals at the Sultan Ibrahim in Iskandar Puteri on Saturday, securing a 6-1 aggregate in the two-legged semi-final.
The 36-year-old, who joined JDT in 2023, was full of energy as he scored twice but admitted it was a tough win although the aggregate scoreline looked flattering.
“We are in one more final for this season, so I am happy for my mates and the rest who are part of the team,” said Fernandes, who is the all-time Thai League One goalscorer with 159 goals.
“The second leg was a tough game. Terengganu were compact and relied on counter attacks. We tried to defend and keep the ball but it wasn’t easy penetrating their spaces.
“We tried whenever we got the chance and the goals I got was instinctive.”
Fernandes got his first in the 32nd minute thanks to a brilliant team move.
Midfielder Afiq Fazail crossed the ball towards Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva, who then chested it towards Fernandes, who took one touch and unleashed a venomous volley past Terengganu goalkeeper Syed Nasrulhaq Syed Bidin.
He then broke the hearts of Terengganu fans, who were hopeful of at least a draw, when he thumped a shot from 30m, which Nasrulhaq failed to palm away in injury time.
Terengganu’s only goal came from Nigerian striker Ismaheel Akinade in the 59th minute.
Instead of thinking about their fourth consecutive Malaysia Cup final just yet, JDT coach Hector Bidoglio wants his men to focus on the Super League match against Police at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Wednesday.
“We have another difficult game. They (Police) are good counter-attackers.”
