Reigning Malaysia Super League (MSL) champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) ended a winless run of five matches against Malaysia Cup winners Pahang with a 2-0 win in Saturday's Charity Shield game at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru. The match also doubled up as the 2015 MSL opener.
The Charity Shield game -- played between the winners of the previous season's MSL and Malaysia Cup -- heralds the traditional start to the Malaysian domestic season.
Brazil born centre-back Marcos Santos headed in off Hariss Harun in the 37th minute to give JDT the lead. Argentinian forward Luciano Figueroa doubled the advantage in the 59th minute through another header giving Bojan Hodak's team the maximum of three points in their 2015 season opener.
The two teams met five times last year and the Elephants won three matches and held JDT to two draws. One of the five meetings was in the Malaysia Cup final, which Pahang won on penalties.
The home team dominated the game and could have won by a bigger margin had Zainul Abidin's team not been rescued by the crossbar on two occasions.
Pahang, who were without their injured winger Azamuddin Akil, lacked last season's creativity and their strikers Dickson Nwakaeme and Matias Conti cut desolate figures up front.
The Southern Tigers' continuous pressure finally yielded the desired result after Singapore international midfielder Harris Harun's flick on was headed in by Santos in the 37th minute.
In the second half, Pahang only showed minimal improvement. JDT's midfield trio of Mohd Shakir Shaari, Safiq Rahim and Harris were more creative than their Pahang counterparts Azidan Sarudin and Mohd Hafiz Kamal.
Figueroa, who had hit the crossbar in the first half, put the game beyond Pahang's reach with a well-directed header in the 59th minute.
The win was a timely boost for JDT, who will host Indian domestic champions Bengaluru FC in Wednesday's AFC Champions League qualifier.