SHEBBY EXPECTS JDT TO PICK UP STEAM
Pundit admits the bumps come early for Southern Tigers
THOUGH Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) dropped points in their last two matches, football pundit Shebby Singh expects the Southern Tigers to pick up their eighth Super League title this season.
After a nine-day break due to the Fifa international window, the league resumes today with JDT playing Melaka at home.
Shebby, who hails from Johor, said: “I know the critics are wallowing in our back-to-back draws (1-1 against Selangor, 2-2 against Perak) but JDT did not lose them both.
“Let’s be honest, Selangor were
the better team on the night and we missed two penalties but we got a point.
“Against Perak, two soft goals conceded and Hafizul Hakim
Khairul Nizam Jothy (Perak) playing out of his skin in goal and yet we didn’t lose the game.
“In football, you’ll get days when you don’t hit the normal heights, the opposition play well or a goalkeeper has a blinder. These things will happen to any team throughout the season but true champions emerge unbeaten.
“The bumps have come early in the season, and just wait for us to hit a rhythm.”
Shebby, the former “global adviser” of EPL club Blackburn Rovers, said what he has seen so far this season has been thrilling, and he is impressed by a number of players.
“I thought Selangor were very good against JDT. Brendan Gan and Oliver Buff were outstanding in midfield. I think Buff is a good player and Bergson Da Silva (JDT) will settle down soon too.
“Another midfielder, Kenny Pallraj had a great game battling away in midfield for Perak against JDT. There were also two great goalkeeping displays from Khairulazhan Khalid of Selangor and Perak custodian Hafizul who were inspired against JDT.
“The young Jordan Ayimbila (Selangor) looks like he will get better but the other new foreigners (in the M-League) have yet to convince me though.
“I am very happy to see Darren Lok (PJ City) and that PJ City are holding their own being an all ‘local’ front.
“It’s a great boost for local players, knowing there’s a chance to play professional football despite the rules allowing five foreigners per team. Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, credit to PJ City for taking a stand.”
On the referees making headlines for their controversial decisions, Shebby said: “In Malaysia, for so long, a defeat is always the referee’s fault. I personally thought the referee in the Perak-JDT
match had a good game.
“I do not think there has been a glaring mistake from a referee so far this season but I do sympathise with Cristiano Ronaldo though!”