PETALING JAYA: Immigration are hoping to plug the gaps in their defence, which would hopefully slow down attacks from Super League giants Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) today at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang.
Still in search of their first league win of the season, Immigration head coach Yusri Che Lah is well aware that the Southern Tigers are not going to make things easier for his side.
With Iranian import player Amirali Chegini out of the squad after getting a red card in their 1-1 draw against Kelantan two weeks ago, Yusri is set to field new faces for their clash against JDT.
“JDT keep winning,” said Yusri.
“So we have to bring the fight with the team we have now, including import players who have been with the team for over two weeks.
“We plan to strengthen our midfield with the addition of a new import player and two others in defence.”
Besides Chegini, Immigration currently also have the import services of Brazilians Rafael Holstein and Joao Pedro, Venezuelan midfielder Eduardo Jose, Australian winger Elvis Kamsoba, and Burmese forward Thiha Zaw.
Yusri said the bulking up of the defence was to hopefully neutralise the threats from JDT’s attackers, namely Joao Figueiredo, Samu Castillejo, and Jairo Da Silva, who scored JDT’s sole goal in their 1-0 win against Kuching on Sunday.
“Our plan is to plug the gaps to deny JDT’s threats, because if given the opportunity, they will convert them into goals,” he said.
Immigration started their season on the back foot after falling 0-3 to Kuala Lumpur in the season opener on Aug 9, followed by their 1-1 draw against Kelantan three days later.
But Yusri’s team are in good spirits after winning 2-1 against Terengganu in the FA Cup round of 16 first-leg match on Aug 17, and will be hoping they can keep that momentum against JDT today.
