JDT not losing sleep

Loss to Felda no big deal as Morais eyes Perak game

PETALING JAYA: Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) rarely lose a game.

So it was a bit of a surprise when the Southern Tigers lost to Felda United 3-2 in their penultimate Super League fixture at the Shah Alam Stadium on Thursday.

Maybe they took their eyes off the ball having already been crowned Super League champions for the fourth time way earlier.

Brazilian Thiago Augusto starred for the Fighters by scoring a brace – in the 27th and 64th minutes. Nigerian Ifedayo Olusegun added the other goal in the 44th minute.

JDT replied through Junior Eldstal (37th) and Gonzalo Gabriel (57th).

That was only JDT’s third defeat of the season, having lost 2-1 to both Perak (Perak Stadium in Ipoh on Feb 17) and Selangor (Selayang Municipal Council Stadium on Aug 5).

As expected, JDT head coach Ulisses Morais was not sulking over the loss.

He has more pressing issues at hand – like preparing for the Malaysia Cup semi-final first-leg clash against Perak at the Perak Stadium on either Oct 13 or Oct 14.

Saved: Felda United goalkeeper Mohd Farizal Harun saves JDT player Junior Eldstal’s (right) header during their Super League match at Shah Alam Stadium on Thursday. — M. AZHAR ARIF/ The Star

The Portuguese coach admitted to some shortcomings in the team, which led to the defeat. The sacking of Eldstal for a second yellow card in the 47th minute didn’t help matters either.

“We started off well and had several chances. But we were pun- ished because of several individual mistakes. I had to wait until half-time to talk to the players and changing our tactics,” said Morais.

“We did better and managed to score a goal.

“It became more difficult when Junior was sent off. Still, they played well to make 2-2.

“The defeat was due to our own mistakes. But it’s all right, it was still a good match. We need to forget about it and look to the Perak match in the Malaysia Cup semi-finals. We have 15 days to get ready.”