Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) signalled their intentions in the Malaysia Cup as they fielded their best team to secure an important 2-0 away victory over Sarawak on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Mohammed Ghaddar and Safiq Rahim.
The Johor giants struck in either half in Group D against a struggling side, who are more concerned about avoiding relegation from the Malaysia Super League (MSL).
But the biggest winners of the night were Kedah, who handed Melaka United a 6-2 thrashing at Hang Jebat Stadium.
Sandro Da Silva scored a brace, with Ahmad Fakri Saarani, Akram Mahinan and Ken Ilso joining the act as the Red Eagles cemented in their position in Group C.
In Kuching, JDT coach Ulisses Morais opted for his big guns instead of the youngsters, with a fourth consecutive MSL title almost in the bag.
However, Sarawak did well to contain their visitors for the first 40 minutes.
But it was Ghaddar who breached the hosts' defence for his 24th goal of the season, with Safiq providing the assist.
It was the Lebanese's forward third goal against the Crocs this season, and it paved the way for the Southern Tigers to dominate the second half.
Safiq then wrapped up matters in the 76th minute, curling in a sublime free kick as JDT notched their second victory in Group D.
However, Morais' charges remain second behind Selangor, who grabbed an added-time goal to down Terengganu 3-2.
Their Spanish forward Rufino Segovia was the hero with a 94th minute winner as the Red Giants also profited from strikes by Syahmi Safari and Francis Forkey Doe.
Elsewhere, Felda United made light work of Kuala Lumpur in Group B, thrashing the Premier League leaders 4-1 at Selayang Stadium.
Their Brazilian striker Thaigo Augusto was again almost unplayable, firing home a hat trick to take his tally to 11 with the Fighters since rejoining them last month.
Other results saw Negeri Sembilan replace Pahang in second spot in Group A with a 2-1 win.
The FA Cup finalists will need a big second round of fixtures to fight their way into contention, and must do it without suspended coach Dollah Salleh.
Johor Darul Ta'zim: Haziq Nazli (GK), Aidil Zafuan, Safiq Rahim (C), Gabriel Guerra, Gonzalo Cabrera, S.Kunanlan,Fazly Mazlan, Mohammed Ghaddar (Gary Steven Robbat 71'), Amirulhadi Zainal (Azamuddin Akil 55'), Natxo Insa, Fadhli Shas
Sarawak: Aidil Mohammad (GK) (C), Tommy Mawat, Ramesh Lai, Hairol Mokhtar, Hafis Saperi (Mateo Roskam 52'), Awang Kamaruddin, Abdul Rahim Abdul Razak, Jimmy Raymond, Rodney Celvin, Sahil Suhaimi, Milos Raickovic