Cabrera brace vs. Sarawak drives JDT to third in MSL

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:47 am

Gonzalo Cabrera turned in a brace as Johor Darul Ta'zim eased past Sarawak 2-0 in the Malaysia Super League on Tuesday, with their new Argentine imports finding their feet at the league champions.

After Gabriel Guerra's hat trick in the 3-0 triumph over T-Team last Saturday, Cabrera's double will go some way to appeasing their coach Benjamin Mora, who had been worried about his imports not scoring regularly.

The Mexican named an unchanged lineup from that win, starting with Ahmad Hazwan Bakri up front, with Cabera and Guerra in support.

Mora would have pleased with how his team began at Kuching Stadium with Cabrera putting JDT ahead with an eighth-minute goal.

Sarawak had their first shot on target shortly after when Nur Shamie saw his effort saved by Izham Tarmizi, before the visitors took control of the game.

Cabrera came close again with another shot that drifted wide of the mark, before Safiq Rahim also fluffed his lines in the 35th minute.

The Argentine forward doubled their advantage in the second half with a brilliant individual effort in the 70th minute, as the hosts struggled to contain his mastery.

Mark Hartman came close to reducing the deficit in the 77th minute. But his left-footed effort also missed the mark as the Crocs slumped to their fourth loss of the season.

JDT moved up to third in the MSL, with a game in hand after notching their third win of the campaign.

Pahang, meanwhile, went to the top of the table after they routed PKNS FC 3-0 at Darul Makmur Stadium.

Afif Amiruddin opened the scoring after 12 minutes, before Brazilian striker Matheus Alves doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the 58th minute after Mohamadou Sumareh was felled in the penalty box.

Ashaari Shamsudin then wrapped up the points in the 69th minute for his third goal in two games to give the Elephants their fifth win in seven games.

Under the reign of Dollah Salleh, who returned as coach in 2017, Pahang have turned their fortunes from relegation candidates last year to true title contenders.

Kedah will replace them at the top should they beat Selangor at Selayang Stadium on Wednesday.

JDT: Izham Tarmizi (GK), Junior Eldstal, Marcos Antonio, S. Kunanlan, Afiq Fazail, Azrif Nasrulhaq, Safiq Rahim (C), Nazmi Faiz, Gabriel Guerra, Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, Gonzalo Cabrera

Sarawak: Shahril Sa'ari (GK), Shahrol Saperi, Demerson, Mark Hartmann, Tommy Mawat, Lee Jong-ho, Mazwandi Zekeria, Rodney Celvin (C), Shamie Iszuan, Dzullazlan Ibrahim, Mateo Roskam