KUALA LUMPUR: Saying records are made to be broken, ex-national striker Azlan Johar commended Bergson Da Silva for breaking Indra Putra Mahayuddin’s Super League’s long standing goals record.
However, Azlan said the two strikers took contrasting paths to achieving their feats.
“Indra needed more than two decades and with many clubs to do so. Da Silva did it in just a few seasons with one team.
“That shows how clinical Da Silva is. But let’s not forget, if Indra had the kind of quality (players) around him that Da Silva enjoys at JDT, maybe he would have scored as many goals.”
Indra began his professional career in 1999 with Perak and went on to play for seven more clubs: Pahang, Selangor, Kelantan, T-Team, Felda United, Kuala Lumpur and Kelantan United.
Indra, 44, scored 106 goals over 22 seasons before retiring from top-flight action in 2023. He then joined A1 Semi-Pro League side PT Athletic for the 2024-2025 season.
Da Silva’s route has been dramatically faster. The 34-year-old Brazilian joined JDT in 2021 and has since scored 109 Super League goals in under five seasons, along with 139 goals in 127 matches across all competitions for the club. He also set the single-season Super League record with 32 goals in 2023.
Da Silva’s hat-trick in JDT’s 8-0 demolition of Sabah on Sept 21 pushed him past Indra’s 106-goal milestone.
Azlan believes Da Silva’s professionalism, drive and positive attitude make him a role model for Malaysian players.
“Da Silva’s success comes from his sharpness, intelligence and relentless work. He is known as a friendly, hardworking teammate.
“I’d be happy if he represents Malaysia because his performance has been outstanding.”
Da Silva’s feats have fuelled naturalisation rumours, with reports linking him to a possible Harimau Malaya call-up.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
