PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim midfielder Nacho Mendez is rallying the team to complete the season with two more trophies – the Malaysia Cup and the Shopee Asean Club Championship – after their exit from the AFC Champions League Elite last Friday.
The Southern Tigers gave defending champions Al-Ahli a run for their money before losing 2-1 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“We ended our Champions League Elite campaign with our heads held high. We can be proud that we fought until the end against a world-class side,” said the 28-year-old Mendez.
“Now, our mission is to win the Malaysia Cup and the Shopee Asean Club Championship.”
Mendez has been a key figure for JDT this season, making a team-high 46 appearances across all competitions, including 11 in the Champions League. He has contributed three goals and 12 assists.
The former Sporting Gijon midfielder has been instrumental in dictating play, providing stability in midfield while creating space for JDT’s attacking unit.
JDT will resume their domestic campaign with a Super League match against Melaka at the Hang Jebat Stadium on April 28.
After that, they will take on Kuala Lumpur at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on May 2 and complete their league campaign against Kelantan at the Sultan Mohd IV Stadium on May 10.
They will then face Kuching City in the Malaysia Cup final at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on May 23.
In the Asean Club Championship, JDT are set for a two-legged semi-final against Buriram United, with the first leg at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on May 6, followed by the return leg at Thunder Castle Stadium on May 13.
JDT have already clinched the FA Cup, Charity Shield and Super League titles this season, and will be aiming to cap off a dominant campaign with further silverware.
