Bergson basks in FA Cup glory, looks to extend streak in Asian Champions League

JDT striker who played a crucial role in last night’s victory over Selangor, aims to elevate personal achievements as well as club’s status at continental scale

33-year-old Brazilian Southern Tiger’s striker Bergson da Silva in action on the football field in the FA Cup finals last night. – Azim Rahman/Scoop pic, August 25, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR – Following his match-winning performance in the FA Cup final against Selangor FC, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) striker Bergson da Silva aims to extend his goal-scoring streak into the upcoming Asian Champions League (ACL) campaign.

The 33-year-old Brazilian, who played a crucial role in JDT’s commanding 6-1 victory over Selangor, helped secure the Southern Tigers’ third consecutive FA Cup title. 

Known as JDT’s “Mr. Final” for his consistent performance in high-stakes matches since joining the club in 2021, Bergson’s latest goal adds to his impressive tally, bringing him closer to achieving his next target—success in the ACL.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Bergson, who has netted over 100 goals for JDT across four seasons, expressed his determination to continue delivering for the club. 

Despite his personal accomplishments, he emphasised that his ultimate goal remains leading JDT to glory in the ACL, a feat that would further cement the club’s status on the continental stage.

“It’s never easy against Selangor, but wearing my team jersey inspires me to perform well and strive for victory in every match.

“I have no secrets for my goal-scoring record at Bukit Jalil Stadium; I approach all venues equally. Whether at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium or Bukit Jalil, my aim is always to improve wherever I play,” he said.

Bergson, who has collected 10 major honours with JDT, including three Super League titles (2021, 2022, and 2023), underscored his hunger for more success.

“However, I’m not satisfied with my achievements and I’m always hungry for more. Now, I must maintain my current form in the ACL and contribute goals to propel my team forward,” he added.

Fellow Brazilian forward Heberty Fernandes, who also found the back of the net in the final, echoed Bergson’s sentiments about the importance of maintaining momentum.

“It’s time for us to concentrate on the bigger games in the ACL. We need to maintain high-performance levels starting from the upcoming Super League fixtures.

“(Last night’s) win against Selangor was fantastic, but our sights are set on higher goals. We showed resilience and strength throughout the match, and now it’s time to carry that into our upcoming fixtures.”

JDT’s dominant performance was rounded out by goals from Arif Aiman in the 43rd minute and a hat-trick from Spanish midfielder Juan Muniz in the 26th, 68th, and 90th minutes.

As JDT prepares for the ACL, they find themselves in a competitive group that includes teams like Ulsan Hyundai, Shanghai Port, Central Coast Mariners, Buriram United, Vissel Kobe, and more from the east region.

The club’s campaign kicks off on September 17. – August 25, 2024