How the players fared in the Malaysia Cup final

JOHOR Darul Ta’zim defeated Kedah in Saturday’s Malaysia Cup final and Timesport’s Ooi Kin Fai rates the performance of players from both teams. — Ratings in brackets

JDT

FARIZAL MARLIAS (6)

A quiet night for the Malaysia captain. Only had a few free kicks to deal with and most of them were either off target or directly at him.

S. KUNANLAN (7)

Stuck to his task of ensuring that the nippy Farhan would have a very quiet match, Kunanoppowithout lan dominated his younger nent completely to leave Kedah an attacking outlet.

MAURICIO DOS SANTOS (6)

A couple of interceptions and set piece defending apart, the Brazilian hardly broke a sweat in helping JDT to a clean sheet.

AIDIL ZAFUAN (7)

Could have gotten himself yet another cup final goal but saw his 4th minute header agonisingly hit the post.

LA’VERE CORBIN-ONG (7)

Had the measure of Zaquan but more importantly also contributed to the attacks, showing his incredible stamina.

HARISS HARUN (8)

A majestic performance from the JDT captain. Dominated the midfield with ease and his tireless work allowed The Southern Tigers to flourish in attack.

AFIQ FAZAIL (8)

This 90 minutes offered more proof why Afiq should be part of the national team set-up.

LEANDRO VELAZQUEZ (8)

Very tidy on the ball, his decision making throughout the match was impeccable.

SAFAWI RASID (7)

Scored an amazing free kick and created a glorious heading chance for Syafiq in the first half. Safawi looked sharper and more energetic in the last two matches for JDT.

GONZALO CABRERA (7)

It was a typical performance from the winger. Offering himself for the pass all the time and worked well with his teammates. His cutback in the first half created the opening goal for Velazquez.

DIOGO LUIS SANTO (N/A)

SUBSTITUTES

SYAFIQ AHMAD (9)

Came into the match and became the missing ingredient in JDT immediately. Constantly on the prowl, his pass opened up Kedah’s defence in the first goal and then rose superbly to head home JDT’s third.

SYAMER KUTTY ABBA, NAZMI FAIZ (N/A)

Did not play long enough to have impact on the match.

KEDAH

IFWAT AKMAL (6)

Positionally perhaps at fault for the Safawi Rasid free kick goal but without him, Kedah could have lost by a bigger margin. That one-handed save from Syafiq Ahmad’s header late in the first half was outstanding.

AMIRUL HISYAM (5)

Coming into the first XI to replace the suspended Rizal

Ghazali, he was in an unfamiliar position at right back.

KHAIRUL HELMI (5)

Another one who came into the final because of a teammate’s absence, Khairul had the unenviable task of stopping the JDT attack.

SHAKIR HAMZAH (5)

Got a first half yellow card and allowed his emotions to get the better of him on a night when he was forced to play with three defenders that were not his usual partners.

AZMEER YUSOF (5)

Only had 16 minutes of the final under his belt before hobbling off injured.

ZAQUAN ADHA (5)

Had the unwanted tag of being the first player booked in the final after strong challenges in quick succession.

BADDROL BAKHTIAR (5)

Having been at this stage of the competition for so many times,

DAVID ROWLEY (6)

Combative and about the only Kedah player who tried to force the issue with his pressing and challenges but often times lost out in duels with Hariss Harun.

FARHAN ROSLAN (5)

A luxury player to have when your team spend most of the time chasing the ball, Farhan did not see much action and was unable to produce his jinking runs.

EDGAR BERNHARDT (4)

Asked to be the support to Bauman in attack, Bernhardt seemed unaccustomed to being so high up the pitch.

JONATAN BAUMAN (5)

Normally a support striker but in Fernando Rodriguez’s absence, he was forced to be a square peg in a round hole.

SUBSTITUTES

NORFIQRIE TALIB (5)

Unexpected 75 minutes of cup final football for him and like the rest of Kedah’s defenders on the night, did not have the best of games.

FAYADH ZULKIFLI AND FADZRUL DANEL (N/A)