Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) won the Malaysia FA Cup for the first time when they came from behind to defeat PKNS 2-1 in Saturday night's final at Shah Alam Stadium.

It was the second trophy of 2016 for the Southern Tigers, having clinched February's Charity Shield on penalties against Selangor.

It also makes up for the heartbreak of losing the 2013 FA Cup final to Kelantan.

Having played in the AFC Cup on Wednesday, JDT made a sluggish start in heavy and wet conditions, finding themselves a goal down after just five minutes when PKNS forward Gabriel Guerra converted a penalty.

But barely 10 minutes later, JDT had the chance to equalise through their own spot kick after goalkeeper G. Jeevanathan brought down Jorge Pereyra Diaz inside the area. Captain Safiq Rahim slotted home to make it 1-1.

The reigning Malaysia Super League (MSL) champions were starting to assert their control and they grabbed the lead in the 34th minute. Again, it was the dangerous Diaz who created havoc, firing a right-footed shot from the edge of the byline to make it 2-1.

Five minutes before half-time, JDT's other Argentine forward Martin Lucero blasted his free-kick wide from a dangerous position. But the dominant Southern Tigers could feel satisfied with a one-goal lead at the break.

Just a minute into the second half, Safiq shot wide from the edge of the box as JDT looked to reassert their authority.

But PKNS had their moments too, with Guerra's free-kick into the box met by the head of Juan Manuel Cobelli, who failed to hit the target in the 53rd minute.

With light drizzle continuing to fall, JDT were in control of the game, and brought on veteran attacker Amri Yahyah in place of the lively Azinee after Amirul Hadi Zainal had replaced Azamuddin Akil a few minutes earlier.

PKNS also freshened things up from the bench, but never really looked like overturning the deficit, despite the best efforts of the second tier underdogs.

The second trophy of the season means that the ambitious Southern Tigers are on track for five pieces of silverware in 2016.

Johor Darul Ta'zim: Izham (GK), Azamuddin (Amirul Hadi 58'), Marcos, Aidil, Kunanlan, Safiq (C), Haris, Jasazrin, Azinee (Yahyah 76'), Diaz, Lucero

PKNS: Jeevanathan (GK), Shahrul (C), Khairu, Nazrin (Thinagaran 69'), Soto, Cobelli, Kunanlan, Sivakumar (Shahurain 46'), Guerra, Nizam, Hadwa

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by ESPN staff

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