PETALING JAYA: The Super League season is upon us. And kicking it off is the Charity Shield showdown between Super League winners Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and Malaysia Cup champions Selangor.
The two teams meet at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Baru on Saturday night.
But Selangor skipper and centreback Mohd Shahrom Kalam is not losing any sleep over the prospect of facing JDT’s much-vaunted strike force.
JDT, who are also the AFC Cup champions, are set to unleash their new Argentine strike partnership of Martin Lucero and Jorge Diaz as they seek to retain the league title for the third straight year.
Shahrom, who led the Red Giants to their 33rd Malaysia Cup title last December, said that “we are more focused on our own preparations”.
“We can’t be worrying about our opponents ... that’s not our style,” said the 30-year-old Shahrom.
“We have worked hard in training and this will be tough match for both teams. I think that playing against a strong team like JDT so early in the season is the perfect way to gauge our standard.”
Selangor, who have played second fiddle to JDT in the Super League for last two years, are looking to end their six-year wait for the league title.
The Red Giants, who last won the Super League in 2010, have strengthened their team with four new signings from Pahang – R. Gopinathan (winger), Hafiz Kamal (midfield), Khairul Azhan Khalid (goalkeeper) and Razman Roslan (defence).
Selangor have also retained Australian defender Robert Cornwaithe and Indonesian winger Andik Vermansyah; and added Argentine hitman Mauro Olivi to partner with lanky Liberian striker Patrick Wleh.
“The management has strengthened the team and we are targeting the Super League title this season,” said Shahrom.
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