Counting on experience: Terengganu players in training. The Turtles hope their defenders will be able to halt Johor’s progress.
PETALING JAYA: Many have tried but failed to break Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) dangerous attacking force but can Terengganu defender Argzim Redzovic and Co make a difference this time?
The towering Redzovic really hopes to deliver as the Turtles clash with the Southern Tigers for the second time in the Super League tonight at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Gong Badak.
Redzovic and Co have their eyes set on JDT’s twin strike force of Argentinian Fernando Forestieri and Brazilian Bergson Da Silva, who have accounted for 22 out of the 51 goals scored by the team in their impeccable unbeaten campaign so far in the league.
Forestieri is the leading goalscorer with 14 goals while Bergson, who won the Golden Boots award last year, has found the back of the net eight times.
The lanky Redzovic, who is from Montenegro and stands at 1.90m tall, is experienced enough to know what the strikers from the opposing side are capable of given his experience in six seasons of Super League action.
Redzovic’s first year in the M-League was with Police in 2018.
The 31-year-old is aware of the tough task ahead for him and his teammates even though they are playing at home.
“On paper, we know the Southern Tigers are definitely stronger, especially when they have managed to stay unbeaten so far. But we are ready to take them on,” said Redzovic.
Redzovic, who has been with Terengganu for the last five years, is expected to partner Mohd Shahrul Nizam Ros Hasni in the central defensive position with Sardor Kulmatov still on the bench recovering from a knee injury.
“We will try our best with the strategy that has been planned by our coaching staff.
“I think we will be able to block our opponents’ dominant play, as after all I have been in the Malaysian football league for almost six years and have played against that squad many times over the years,” he said.
In their first encounter this year, Terengganu lost 0-2 during the Charity Shield match in February.
Terengganu are seventh in the Super League with 20 points from six wins and two losses.
