Do it well: JDT players Safiq Rahim and Endrick Dos Santos in training under the watchful eyes of Esteban Solari. — JDT
PETALING JAYA: The Super League will come to a close this weekend with a big celebration down south, tight battle in the north and Selangor having the last laugh.
Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) will be officially celebrating their 10th consecutive Super League title at their home ground after their final league match against Penang at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium today.
The players will hoist the trophy and then join the fans as they party together in a celebration named ‘Decade of Dominance’, international performers like Moroccan-American rapper French Montana, French singer Vegedream and American hip-hop dance crew Jabbawockeez will entertain the crowd.
If they beat or draw against Penang today, JDT will achieve their unbeaten status in the league for the fourth time as they have done in 2016, 2020 and 2022.The team will enter the final game in good form as they have recently lifted the Malaysia Cup by beating Terengganu 3-1 and also defeated Thailand club BG Pathum United in the AFC Champions League.
Coach Esteban Solari said the players have earned the ‘untouchable’ status.
“What we have achieved throughout the season is not easy. Every game had a different challenge. There were results because our players played with the right character,” said Solari.
“They know, in a club like JDT, they cannot rest easy. To be the best, they have to constantly work on their game. They have to be disciplined and know the game.
“The pre-season was where everything started 11 months ago. That’s why you’re seeing the results now.”
Selangor showed they are the most improved team as the moved from the fifth spot last year to second this year and booked a place in the AFC Champions League next season.
Coach Tan Cheng Hoe has stabilised the team with his modern style of football helped by top players like Colombian striker Ayron Del Valle, who is the current league’s top scorer with 23 goals and winger Faisal Halim.
The final day tomorrow will also see a battle for the third spot as Sabah will take on Kedah at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu.
Kedah are currently third with 53 points while Sabah are fourth with 51.
Pahang got off to a great start where they were unbeaten in the first 11 games, but finished fifth in the league with 44 points after losing seven and winning six in the last 14 games.
JDT may go on to win the league for another ten years to come if other teams do not do something extra ordinary to add the quality of the competition.
Teams will have to buck up or else, JDT will continue dominating the scene for years to come.
