Hot run: Joao Figueiredo (right) trying to get past Wanchai Jarunongkran of Bangkok United during the game in the Shopee Cup. - Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) striker Bergson da Silva was simply fantastic as he delivered a stunning hattrick to power his team to a 4-0 victory over Bangkok United in the Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup on Thursday (Sept 25).
Bangkok almost caught the Southern Tigers off guard in the first half when awarded a penalty in the 16th minute, but the decision was overturned by VAR.
And minutes later, local hero Arif Aiman Hanapi almost broke the deadlock with a powerful strike, only to be denied by goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai.
Arif was a constant threat in the first 45 minutes, dazzling with his dribbling, link-up play and chances created, as JDT dominated proceedings.
Da Silva stepped up in the second half when he opened the scoring with a superb strike from outside the box, assisted by Oscar Arribas in the 46th minute.
Six minutes later, Joao Figueiredo tapped in the Southern Tigers' second after being set up by Bergson.
JDT continued their onslaught in the second half, with Arif again testing Patiwat in the 54th minute.
Da Silva then pounced on a rebound in the 73rd minute to make it 3-0, before completing his hattrick in stoppage time, slotting home after an assist from countryman Jairo da Silva.
His previous hattrick came in the Southern Tigers’ 8-0 demolition of Sabah in the Super League last weekend.
"When things happen better than you hope, you just go with the flow and sometimes you let that flow motivate you," said Da Silva, who has been with JDT since 2021.
"I've a lot of targets in football, and scoring is one of them. I'm proud of how we approached the game."
It was a commanding performance from Da Silva, who proved once again why he remains JDT’s most lethal weapon.
