ISKANDAR PUTERI, Johor (Interstat) — Johor Darul Tazim opened its 2025 Malaysian Super League campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Kelantan on Saturday at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, a performance that emphatically exceeded pregame projections.

The home side, known as JDT, dominated proceedings from the outset and was rewarded in the 21st minute when Brazilian forward Jairo found the net to give his team an early lead. The advantage was doubled just before halftime as Argentine playmaker Teto Martín scored in the 42nd minute to send the defending champions into the break with a firm grip on the match.

Any hopes of a Kelantan comeback were swiftly extinguished in a blistering start to the second half. Spanish midfielder Óscar Arribas extended JDT’s lead to three goals just seven minutes after the restart, finding the net in the 52nd minute. The onslaught continued four minutes later when Malaysian international Nazmi Faiz scored in the 56th minute, putting the result beyond any doubt at 4-0.

Kelantan, which struggled to create meaningful chances against JDT’s organized defense, managed a consolation goal in the 74th minute through Azam Azih. The late strike did little to alter the match’s trajectory, serving only to break JDT’s clean sheet.

The final scoreline proved more lopsided than even the most optimistic forecasts. Pregame analysis from Interstat had projected a final score of Johor Darul Tazim 2, Kelantan 0. The firm’s ELO rating system had given the home side a 98.30 percent probability to win, a statistical expectation JDT surpassed with its four-goal outburst.

With the result, Johor Darul Tazim begins its pursuit of a 13th consecutive Malaysian top-flight title with a win, starting the Super League season with one win and no losses. Kelantan, meanwhile, starts its campaign with one loss and no wins. The records apply to both the Super League and all competitions for the nascent season.

The match was played before an announced crowd at the 40,000-seat Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, a fortress for JDT, which has not lost a domestic league match at home since 2022. The comprehensive victory sets a strong early standard in the league and underscores the continued gap between the perennial champions and the competition. Kelantan will look to regroup from the opening-day defeat as the long season continues.