KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) continued their dominance in Malaysian football by clinching the Youth Cup title with a 7-5 aggregate win over Terengganu in the final on Friday.
Following the victory, JDT owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim reflected on the club's success, sharing a message on Instagram: "Champions attract champions."
"If the head is right, the tail is too. From top to bottom. This is what JDT are all about.
"For 11 years, they've hated us, rejected our comments, and tried to undermine this club's capabilities.
"But it's that very challenge that has fueled the success that Allah has granted in every aspect."
Earlier in the week, Tunku Ismail voiced his frustration with individuals lacking football expertise, blaming their decisions for Malaysia's struggles in the sport.
He argued that the problem lies not within the industry but with those in positions of influence.
On Friday, JDT IV delivered a scintillating performance at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, recording a 5-3 second-leg victory to add to their 2-0 lead from the Youth Cup final first leg.
JDT's goals came through Daniesh Amirrudin (17th minute), Zamir Zairi (26th and 69th), Adib Ibrahim (73rd), and Adib Safaraz (84th).
Terengganu fought back with goals from Che Ku Irfan Danial (35th), Iskandar Akmal (45+2), and Iman Alif (90th).
JDT IV coach Pedro Collado Celda praised his players' mentality.
"We believed we could be champions before the game even started.
" We knew it was our year.
"At halftime, I reminded them to believe in their strength as a team and that we are champions."
Meanwhile, Terengganu IV coach Wan Adremy Indera Wan Adnan encouraged his players to view the loss as a learning experience.
"This is not the end but the beginning of something greater. My advice is to continue chasing glory," he said.
Selangor's Hatif Irfan emerged as the competition's top scorer with 16 goals.