Soldiers banking on Juan-man force Arostegui to shine

Juan Arostegui (in blue) in a filepic scoring a goal past Selangor's Mohd Farizal Marlias.

PETALING JAYA: Striker Juan Arostegui, during his spell with Selangor MPPJ, scored 50 goals and helped his club lift the Malaysia Cup in 2003.

In the Cup final, the 33-year-old Argentine single-handedly destroyed Sabah with a hattrick in the 3-0 win.

Now with Armed Forces, the striker comes with strong credentials having played for Boca Juniors youth team and was a member of Argentina’s Youth World Cup squad.

All his experience will be put to test today when the soldiers host table-toppers Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the Selayang Stadium.

Forces, who are in 10th spot in the 12-team league, need a win to move away from the relegation zone. 

Coach B. Sathianathan will be counting on Arostegui to deliver just like he did when Forces upstaged overnight leaders Selangor (2-0). The Argentine scored goals at the Shah Alam Stadium on Friday.

“There is no doubt I will rely on Arostegui’s brilliance in front of goal again. JDT are in great shape and are on course for the title.

“We may be an under-strength side but we will fight on with players like skipper Hairuddin Omar, Bruno Martelotto and Arostegui to save our season,” said Sathianathan.

Forces have been hit with a spate of injuries losing several key players, including K. Reuben, Amirudzwan Taj, Irwan Fadly Idrus and Christie Jayaseelan.

To make matters worst, they had to part ways with injured striker Marlon James during the transfer window in April.

However, Sathianathan said Arostegui has done well to step up his game with nine goals so far.

“He could have scored 16 goals if not for the seven attempts that were denied by the post,” said Sathianathan.

And Arostegui has pledged to get the points and goals in their remaining fixtures against Terengganu and Sime Darby FC.

“If we can upset Selangor, we can do it with JDT, too,” said Arostegui.