JOHOR, Malaysia -- For 45 minutes or so of Thursday's ASEAN Club Championship clash at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, it looked like an upset might be on the cards.
Or, at the very least, that the favourites might be denied.
But with a scintillating start to the second half, where they scored twice inside the opening seven minutes, Johor Darul Ta'zim would set the stage for what ultimately proved to be a commanding 4-0 win over Bangkok United -- maintaining their perfect start to the tournament in the process.
Bérgson da Silva will naturally grab the headlines following a fine hat-trick but he was far from the only star to shine -- with João Figueiredo also continuing his impressive start to life at JDT with his third goal in two outings in the competition, while Arif Aiman was electrifying down the right especially once he played with less defensive responsibility after the interval.
Yet, it originally looked like it might be a far different story.
Despite being the away side in the oft-intimidating Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, and making their tournament debut after their opening-round fixture was postponed to December, Bangkok United started brightly.
While it was JDT who had the dominant share of possession, Bangkok United looked dangerous on the counter and might even have taken the lead when they were awarded a penalty in the 17th minute for a foul on Muhsen Al-Ghassani -- although VAR rightfully overturned the decision the challenge had been clean.
There was an audible murmur of uncertainty from the JDT faithful when the halftime whistle blew.
But just 32 seconds after the restart, that tame purr was replaced with an almighty roar.
As the Malaysia Super League champions looked to work an opening on the edge of the area, Óscar Arribas did well to win a 50-50 challenge just when it looked like Bangkok United might win back possession and force the ball into the path of Bérgson.
With almost no backlift, the prolific marksman would proceed to lash a trademark piledriver past Patiwat Khammai's despairing dive.
In no time at all following the interval, the Southern Tigers were now in control.
Six minutes later, it was 2-0. And while JDT produce no shortage of stunning goals from virtuous individual efforts given the talent at their disposal, this team move was a piece of art.
As Bérgson was confronted by an opponent on the left side of the area, he retreated slightly by cutting back onto his right foot before laying a pass off to Hector Hevel.
Despite four defenders being in the way, Hevel would somehow clip a visionary inch-perfect return pass back to the now-open Bérgson, whose low ball back across goal was expertly guided home by Figueiredo on the swivel.
Bangkok United now needed to push forward and that only left more space that was always going to be exploited by the likes of Bérgson, Figueiredo and Arif, who was featuring in a far-more advanced starting position in the second half.
In the 73rd minute, jinking down the right as he usually does, Arif's low drive forced Patiwat into a smart save but he could only parry it back towards the six-yard box - where a grateful Bérgson was waiting for the most straightforward of finishes.
And in the second minute of injury-time, the rout was completed as another counterattack brought more joy down the right -- this time with substitute Jairo left in acres of space to pick out an unmarked Bérgson six yards out for his hat-trick.
JDT ultimately made it look easy, but it certainly was not. Based on the first half, as well as the fact that Bangkok United are hardly any slouches.
The Thai League 1 outfit boast undeniable quality. They will have upcoming opportunities to give a better account of themselves in the tournament.
They were just no match for JDT, who -- after opting not to participate in the competition's return following a 20-year hiatus last term -- are already emerging as the potential title favourites.