Give it a shot: JDT’s Fernando Forestieri making an attempt at goal during the FA Cup semi-final match against Penang at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) Argentine striker Fernando Forestieri is no stranger to hardship.
As a boy from a poor family, his parents always reminded him and his siblings not to waste food.
Last month, a video of him telling opposition fans not to throw food after he scored the winner against Sabah in JDT’s 2-1 win in the Super League set tongues wagging on social media.
Forestieri was heard saying: “With food, you do not play because some people do not have food.”
The 32-year-old recalled what he went through during his younger days in Rosario, Argentina.
“Where I grew up in Argentina, my parents worked so hard, sometimes they do not eat because they give the food to us. That’s why I always tell people not to play with food. Some families have to work hard for food,” he said.
“Now, I’m a footballer but I always remember where I come from. My parents do not let food go to waste.
“I know games can get heated, especially when I scored the winner against Sabah and the fans got emotional. But they can throw anything but not food. We need to have respect for food.”
With such humility and passion, the former Watford and Udinese player can be counted on to inspire JDT to defy the odds when they take on Japanese League giants Urawa Red Diamonds in their AFC Champions League last-16 game at the Saitama Stadium tomorrow.
Urawa have a good history in the competition as they have won the trophy twice, in 2007 and 2017.
They will start as favourites but JDT won’t be pushovers as they qualified for the knockout stage for the first time after topping Group I with 13 points, and upstaging top sides like current J-League champions Kawasaki Frontale and K-League giants Ulsan Hyundai.
Forestieri has been JDT’s key player this season, scoring 16 goals in 22 games in all competitions.
His combination with Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva has caught the eye and they are expected to trouble the Urawa defence, led by Danish defender Alexander Scholz.
Forestieri said they are prepared to give Urawa a run for their money.
“We are focused and hungry to win this game. We want to be a dominant club in Asia.’’
