JDT CLINCH HISTORIC FOURTH STRAIGHT MALAYSIA CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Under a steady, dramatic drizzle that failed to dampen the roaring spirits of over 50,000 fans, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) cemented their status as the undisputed titans of Malaysian football. On Saturday night at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, the Southern Tigers defeated a brave Kuching City FC 2-0, securing an unprecedented fourth consecutive Malaysia Cup title.
With this triumph, Xisco Muñoz’s men have achieved what no other club in the nation’s history has ever done: a fourth straight domestic quadruple sweep, locking down the Charity Shield, FA Cup, Super League, and Malaysia Cup in spectacular fashion.
For the first 60 minutes, it looked as though history might take a wild, unexpected turn. Kuching City FC, appearing in their first-ever major cup final under coach Aidil Sharin Sahak, refused to read the script. "The Cats" fought valiantly, absorbing heavy pressure from JDT’s talismanic forward Bergson Da Silva and hitting back with sharp, clinical counter-attacks.
The first half ended in a tense 0-0 deadlock, with Kuching City looking entirely capable of pulling off the ultimate footballing heist.
The defining moment of the match arrived exactly at the hour mark. Kuching City winger Ramadhan Saifullah was brought down in the box by JDT’s La'vere Corbin-Ong. The referee pointed straight to the penalty spot. The stadium held its breath. A goal here would put the underdogs ahead and shatter JDT's aura of invincibility.
Ramadhan stepped up to take the shot against his former club, but the immense pressure proved too much. His effort sailed wide of the post, leaving the Kuching faithful heartbroken and letting the Southern Tigers off the hook.
In football, when you miss your chance against JDT, retribution is swift.
As the clock ticked into the final 20 minutes, JDT’s depth and relentless fitness began to tear open spaces in the tiring Kuching defense.
The breakthrough finally came in the 81st minute. Embracing a brilliant ball on the left flank, Brazilian winger Marcus Guilherme unleashed a superb, clinical finish that flew past goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli, sending the JDT stands into absolute delirium.
With Kuching forced to throw everyone forward in search of an equalizer, JDT struck the final blow in stoppage time. Arif Aiman Hanapi, making a fairytale return to the pitch after a lengthy injury layoff, picked up the ball outside the penalty box. Displaying the world-class composure that has made him a national icon, he curled a magnificent strike into the back of the net at the 91st minute. 2-0. Game over. History made.
In celebration of this legendary sporting milestone, the Johor state government officially declared Monday, May 25, 2026, as a special state public holiday. The Southern Tigers' dynasty remains untouchable.