JDT Withstand Late Pahang Surge in 9-Goal Thriller

KUANTAN, Malaysia - What looked like an absolute blowout turned into a frantic, nerve-shredding thriller at the Stadium Tertutup SUKPA. Defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) Futsal managed to weather a heroic late comeback from Pahang Rangers FC, hanging on for a 5–4 victory in the Sunday night headliner of MPFL 2026 Circuit 7. While JDT raced to an intimidating 4–0 lead, the home crowd fueled a furious four-goal second-half rally by the Rangers that pushed the champions to the absolute brink.

JDT established early dominance through tactical composure. Mahadir Harahap put the visitors ahead in the first half with his 12th goal of the season. The match swung heavily right before the halftime break when Pahang Rangers goalkeeper Afiq Abdul Rahman received a direct red card for handling the ball outside his box, forcing the hosts to start the second half short-handed. JDT pounced on the numerical advantage to mount what seemed to be an unassailable lead. Mahadir Harahap doubled his tally during the 2-minute power play, followed swiftly by strikes from Bruno Taffy and Bukhairi Samsudin to make it 4–0 in favor of the Southern Tigers.

Refusing to surrender in front of their home fans, Pahang Rangers initiated a relentless power-play offensive in the final 10 minutes. Harith Naim Nasir struck twice in rapid succession to ignite belief in the stands, followed by a precise strike from Razin Rahim to cut the deficit to 3–4. Bruno Taffy briefly gave JDT breathing room by netting his second of the night for 5–3. In the closing seconds, Sirhan Aiman Saipubahrim thundered home Pahang's fourth goal, but time ran out before the hosts could complete the miraculous equalizer.

The result keeps JDT firm in 2nd place with 31 points, holding a three-point lead over 3rd-placed Pahang Rangers (28 points) as both sides continue their push toward the MPFL 2026 knockout play-offs.