Turtles’ only wish next season is to hunt down Southern Tigers

PETALING JAYA: Newly-promoted Terengganu have one wish when they return to the top flight next season.

Head coach Irfan Bakti hopes they can break four-time winners Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) stranglehold on the Super League.

“Someone has to stop them. They have won it four times in a row – just look at the gap at the top of the standings this season. They won the title more than a month ago. They have a massive 12-point lead with two more matches to play.

“Every coach has a dream and I want my team to challenge the strongest sides. Of course, we may not have the best training facilities like them, but we can try. They are at a different level. The question is how do we overcome it? I hope to find a solution.

“For a start, at least we have a supportive management. Surely we are not just going to make up the numbers in the Super League next season.

“JDT have set the benchmark and it’s for us and the other teams to give them a run for their money,” said Irfan.

The Turtles and Kuala Lumpur won promotion to the Super League next season after finishing as the top two sides in the 12-team Premier League this season. Both teams have unassailable leads, having picked up 47 points each with one match to go.

This is the third time that Irfan has guided a Premier League team back to the top flight. He also helped Telekom Melaka (TMFC) win promotion in 2004 and Felda United in 2014.

“We have to look at the bigger picture and not be contented with just winning promotion. There’s more to it and we want to be the best in the new season,” said Irfan, who is hoping the management will come up with a bigger budget so that his team will be on par with the big boys of the Super League.

Terengganu are back in the top flight after only one season in the Premier League. They sealed their ticket to the top flight after defeating Police 3-0 in their penultimate fixture at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka on Tuesday, with goals from Faiz Nasir (19th), Tchetche Kipre (35th) and Issey Nakajima (58th).