PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Super League showdown with Selangor at the Petaling Jaya Stadium tonight comes with its usual bite, but the spotlight has drifted beyond the touchline and firmly onto the transfer window.
Although JDT’s latest signings will only be eligible after Jan 5, the Southern Tigers have already sent a clear signal of intent.
Brazilians Marcos Guilherme and Yago Da Silva have been brought in to strengthen the flanks, both arriving with experience from top flight clubs in Japan and South Korea.
Portuguese midfielder Rui Nene Correia, formerly of Chinese Super League side Yunnan Yukun, adds further steel and creativity in midfield.
The reinforcements are part of JDT’s bigger picture, building depth and quality for their AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite campaign as they push for a place in the knockout stages.
Selangor, meanwhile, are taking a different approach.
The Red Giants confirmed the departures of English midfielder Zach Clough, Thai wingback Kevin Deeromram and Brazilian striker Willian Lira, all by mutual consent.
At the same time, they welcomed back Singapore international centreback Safuwan Baharuddin and Ghanaian midfielder Alex Agyarkwa, returning from loan spells with Lions City Sailors and Negri Sembilan respectively.
While the new faces on both sides await their chance after Jan 5, Selangor’s focus now shifts to the business at hand – stopping a JDT side that have set ruthless standards under coach Xisco Munoz.
The champions have scored 30 goals in their last five matches and kept three clean sheets.
Munoz insists there is no room for complacency.
“If you play 12 games, you win 12 games, and you continue to improve, this is ambition,” he said.
“Here, nobody can relax. Everybody needs to be switched on.”
As for Selangor interim coach Christophe Gamel, he knows what awaits.
“We created many chances in recent games but at a high level, you have to kill them. Otherwise, you will be killed.”
Transfers may dominate the chatter, but tonight, pride and points are firmly on the line.
