JDT vows to keep top spot

PETALING JAYA: New Super League leaders Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) have pledged to hold on to the precious one-point advantage for dear life.

JDT replaced Selangor as pace-setters after beating Terengganu 4-3 while the Red Giants went down to shock 2-0 defeat to Armed Forces on Friday.

The Johor side have 38 points compared to Selangor’s 37 with three matches remaining. Terengganu are third on 31 points and still have an outside chance of lifting the league title. 

“We will fight hard to keep our lead,” said JDT coach Bojan Hodak.

JDT’s remaining fixtures are against Armed Forces (away), Kelantan (home) and Sarawak (away).

“It is going to be like the World Cup for us. We need to win all our matches,” said Croatian Hodak.

JDT will face the first test against Forces at the Selayang Stadium on Tuesday.

“Forces are no pushovers despite struggling this season and are ninth in the standings. But we are in good form right now. We won seven of our last eight matches. The other was a draw (2-2) against Pahang after we conceded a late goal,” said Hodak.

For Selangor, they also have a tough run-in with matches against Kelantan (away), Sarawak (home) and PKNS FC (away).

JDT are looking for their first silverware after finishing runners-up to Kelantan in the FA Cup last season.

The Super League winners will get to play in next season’s AFC Cup.