Who will lift the trophy: (From left) JDT’s Farizal Marlias and coach Hector Bidoglio, Selangor coach Tan Cheng Hoe and Sharul Nazeem posing with the Malaysia Cup ahead of their showdown at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. – Bernama.
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are a team packed with top-class players who should be strolling away with all the trophies on offer.
But it has not been as easy as they had expected. This year, they have had to traverse a winding road to the Malaysia Cup final.
Coach Benjamin Mora of Mexico had to leave in the middle of this year with Argentina-born Hector Bidoglio taking over in mid-season. Last year’s shock 0-2 final defeat by Kuala Lumpur also loomed over the team.
The players, however, have not been disheartened. If anything, they seem to be more fired up.
The Southern Tigers are now on the verge of completing the quadruple – they have already won the Charity Shield, FA Cup and Super League titles.
Bidoglio now hopes his boys will nail it when they face Selangor at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
The former Venezuelan international is well aware that their opponents who used to be the giants in the Malaysia Cup, are not going to give up without a good fight.
He wants his players to be fully focused and not make any mistakes to ensure they complete the mission to bring the Malaysia Cup to Johor again for the first time since 2019. There was no competition in 2020.
“Selangor have strength especially in their defensive line and also when it comes to set pieces.
“We need to be careful with these situations but JDT have also identified some weaknesses in the Selangor side.
“Tomorrow will not be easy for us as it is a final match,” said Bidolglio.
“Our path to the final was also not easy but now the players are at their best and happy to play in another final.
“We are aware that Selangor and JDT are strong teams in Malaysia.”
Bidoglio said the players and management were determined to succeed in their quest to achieve the quadruple.
“It is very important for our club, especially for the owner (Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) to win four cups this season and it is the responsibility of everyone in the team to ensure that the Malaysia Cup comes to Johor soil.”
And he had an ominous warning for Selangor – and all the other teams in Malaysia.
“JDT are still developing... we have not reached our maximum level yet,” declared Bidoglio.
