Coach Bidoglio’s tinkering with JDT first XI continues to yield great results

Feeling real good: JDT’s Syahmi Safari (front) celebrates after scoring against Kelantan in the second leg Malaysia Cup quarter-final match at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: They don’t call Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) coach Hector Bidoglio a ‘’Tinkerman’’ for nothing.

The Venezuelan has been tinkering with his first XI in every Malaysia Cup game, leaving many to wonder whether he even had a set eleven or not.

But his way has certainly produced desired results as the defending Super League champions have been imperious in the prestigious tournament by obliterating their opponents with consummate ease.

In the two-leg round of 16, the Southern Tigers took down Petaling Jaya City 6-0 on aggregate.

On Friday, they confirmed a spot in the semi-final by trouncing Kelantan 8-0 on aggregate in the quarter-final.

In the second leg, JDT humiliated the Red Warriors again by dismantling them 5-0, with Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva being the chief architect with a hattrick in the 12th, 34th and 37th minutes. The other goals were scored by Syahmi Safari (40th) and Nazmi Faiz Mansor (45th).

So far, no one in the team has started four straight games in the Malaysia Cup, but that is something JDT need not worry about as their squad boast more strength in depth than all other teams.

And Bidoglio has also given several youngsters chances to impress during the tournament, like Daryl Sham George, Nathaniel Shio Hong Wan, Feroz Baharuddin, Ramadhan Saifullah and Adam Farhan Faizal.

Bidoglio said he loved giving youngsters a chance to play and his way of choosing different players had also given him an opportunity to assess them against different opponents.

“When I was coaching clubs in Argentina, Peru and Ecuador, I loved to work with young players by developing their game,” said the 54-year-old, who joined the club in July, replacing Benjamin Mora, who resigned to head home to Mexico.

“I also like to give them a chance to play as a first XI or as a substitute.

“JDT are a big club with a strong structure. We have a good technical staff, backed by solid management and a boss (Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) who loves the game.

“They are always working round the clock to spot the best players. For me, this is amazing. I would love to have more youngsters in my eleven.

“Plus, we have a friendly today against Indonesian club, Persis Solo. Players who didn’t have many minutes in all competitions will be given a chance to play, and if I see anyone who impresses me, they might stand a chance to play in the semi-final of the Malaysia Cup.”

JDT will take on Borneo giants Sabah in a two-leg semi-final, with the first leg held at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu on Nov 15 and second at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Nov 20.

When asked about the game, Bidoglio said it would be tough.

“It’s always tough in the semi-finals. We have lots of videos and analyses of Sabah, but my main concern is my team. I care about JDT’s performance.”