THE script remains unchanged after the Super League season ended with Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) continuing their reign for the 11th straight year.
Amazingly, the Southern Tigers also finished a season unbeaten for the third consecutive time, winning 23 out of 24 matches, with a 1-1 draw against Police the only hiccup.
It was hardly a surprise as JDT, with the backing of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, were obvious favourites from the start with Selangor, Sabah and Terengganu the potential challengers.
But with JDT finishing with a remarkable 70 points, a staggering 18 ahead of Selangor, the gap in class was glaringly evident.
Here are five highlights of this season.
Bergson Da Silva
DA SILVA STREAK CONTINUES
JDT’s dynamic Brazilian forward netted an astonishing 32 goals in just 22 matches, surpassing his previous best of 29 three years ago.
He also became the first player in the Super League to cross the 30-goal mark in a single campaign.
At 34, Da Silva is showing no signs of slowing down. With hopes of becoming a naturalised Malaysian player by February next year, he’s also just a goal away from equalling the league’s all-time scoring mark of Indra Putra Mahayuddin, who has 106 goals.
Jordan Mintah
KUCHING ARE NO TAME CATS
After finishing 13th last season, Kuching City, under the guidance of coach Aidil Sharin, defied huge expectations to grab fourth spot this time.
The Cats also turned out to be one of the league’s most entertaining teams, with an attractive possession-based style of play.
At the heart of their consistent displays were the impressive African duo of Ghanaian striker Jordan Mintah and Namibian midfielder Petrus Shitembi.
Local players like wingback Jimmy Raymond and JDT loanees Ramadhan Saifullah and Daniel Amier Norhisham also stood out, helping the team qualify for the Asean Club Championship.
Paulo Josue
RESILIENCE UNDER ADVERSITY
Financial crises affected quite a number of top teams like Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Sabah, Kelantan and Pahang.
Kelantan struggled with six months of unpaid salaries, while Kedah had to deal with nine months of arrears. KL were also subjected to a six-point deduction due to financial mismanagement.
But these three sides deserve credit for showing resilience under adversity.
The City Boys still finished sixth with 31 points, and would have ended up fifth if not for the points deduction.
As for the Kelantan and Kedah players, they played on with unwavering commitment on match days despite their financial predicaments.
Safawi Rasid
WINGERS IN TOP FLIGHT
JDT’s Arif Aiman Hanapi is set to secure his fourth straight Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, boasting 17 goals and 14 assists in all competitions. The 22-year-old is now among an elite group of wingers in the league due to his consistently brilliant displays in the last four seasons.
Terengganu’s Safawi Rasid, on loan from JDT, savoured his most prolific season yet with 18 goals as he also became the Turtles’ captain.
Akhyar Rashid also displayed flashes of brilliance on the left flank, proving to be an able ally of Safawi.
THRIVING ON CHANGES
Kuala Lumpur’s Paulo Josue, originally a playmaker, was transformed into a striker this season, finishing as the second-highest scorer with 17 goals.
At 36, the Brazilian still possesses a lethal left foot and has adapted smoothly to his new role.
Similarly, 22-year-old Nooa Laine transitioned from a box-to-box midfielder to a solid defensive midfielder for Selangor, while Perak attacker Tommy Mawat Bada showed his versatility by stepping into the centreback role during an injury crisis.
For JDT, Eddy Israfilov of Azerbaijan proved that he could also be a commanding centreback.
