Bergson hat-trick is icing on cake as JDT clinch eighth straight Super League title

KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) sealed their eighth straight Super League title in style, courtesy of prolific Brazilian striker Bergson da Silva's first-half hat-trick en route to sinking Sri Pahang FC 3-0 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri last night.

The Southern Tigers notched their 16th win in 20 matches to go 14 points clear of second-placed Terengganu FC and, thus, lift the title with two matches in hand. JDT now have 51 points while Terengganu, who have a game in hand, are on 37 points.

Bergson, 30, exploded with the goals in the ninth, 41st and 45th minutes.

His first came when he pounced on a mistake by Pahang centreback Mohammad Zazrir Naim Abdul Rani while his second came when he connected beautifully with a cross from outside the box by Safiq Rahim.

Bergson then played a one-two with another import player Gonzalo Cabrera before thundering the ball past Pahang goalkeeper Muhammad Daniel Wafiuddin Sa'dun to complete his second hat-trick for this season.

Bergson now leads the Super League scoring chart with 23 goals, one ahead of Selangor FC's Ifedayo Olusegun.

For Pahang, meanwhile, the defeat means they are still not safe from relegation as they are now in 10th spot in the 12-team standings with 17 points, the same as ninth-placed Melaka United. Both these teams are four points ahead of 11th-placed Perak FC, with three matches to go.

UiTM FC are assured of relegation as they prop up the standings with just six points after 19 matches.

Meanwhile, Sarawak United are on the right track for the Premier League crown after a convincing 3-0 win over PDRM FC at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras today.

Brazilian Sandro da Silva bagged a brace in the 18th and 36th minutes before Uche Agba added the third for his 13th goal of the season and stay in the hunt for the top scorer's award in the second-tier.

Terengganu FC II (TFC II) striker Jordan Mintah heads the Premier League scoring chart with 14 goals, so far.

In another Premier League match today, second-placed Negeri Sembilan FC suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Kelantan FC at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Bharu.

Midfielder Syed Sobri Syed Mohamad put the home team 1-0 up in the 12th minute but Negeri Sembilan restored parity just four minutes later through Francis Kone.

With the match heading for a draw, Nurshamil Abd Ghani popped up with the winner for Kelantan FC in the 89th minute to push his team up to fifth in the standings with 24 points.

With three matches to go, Sarawak United FC are perched atop the Premier League standings with 37 points while Negeri Sembilan FC are second with 32 points.

-- BERNAMA