More than a handful: JDT goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi (right) in an aerial duel with Kuching City’s Yuki Tanigawa. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star
PETALING JAYA: Kuching City coach Aidil Sharin is proud of his side for standing toe-to-toe with Malaysia’s most dominant team after going down just 1-0 to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the State Stadium on Sunday.
The Cats were even reduced to 10 men just minutes after the restart when Japanese centreback Yuki Tanigawa was shown a straight red card for a foul on striker Joao Figueiredo outside the penalty box.
Kuching’s resistance was then broken in the 60th minute when Brazilian winger Jairo da Silva powered home a header from Figueiredo’s cross.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Kuching continued to push forward and created opportunities of their own.
“We showed we could fight against the giants despite being a small team. Even with 11, it is tough to take on JDT, so imagine with 10,’’ said Aidil.
‘’In the first half, we even dominated and played better. But in the second, the red card changed everything.
‘’Despite being a man down, we still had our chances to score. The commitment and fire from the players never wavered, and I respect that.’’
As for JDT coach Xisco Munoz, he admitted his side were tested in a difficult away fixture.
“Kuching are never easy to play but despite the challenge and the difficult pitch, we got the three points and that is crucial,” said the Spaniard.
“For the many new players, these are also valuable lessons about what it means to play outside of our comfort zone.”
Meanwhile, JDT owner and Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim was philosophical about the hard-fought win.
“Always look at the bigger picture - statistics and facts don’t lie,” he said.
“There will come a time when we won’t win anything. Until that time comes, there’s no point in driving ourselves crazy.”
The win keeps 11-time champions JDT firmly at the top of the Super League with nine points from three matches.
Kuching, meanwhile, sit fifth with three points.
