JDT coach Morais won’t rush to complete signings as big match looms

PETALING JAYA: The clock is ticking for the all-important AFC Champions League preliminary match but Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) coach Ulisses Morais won’t be rushed into completing his signings for the 2018 season.

The Southern Tigers boast five buys this season with Brazilian centrebacks Marcos Antonio and Bruno Soares, Argentine strikers Luciano Figueroa and Jorge Pereyra Diaz; and Singapore international Harris Harun filling the Asean player slot.

There’s still a spot for an Asian import although JDT have gone on a signing spree, snapping up Adam Nor Azlin, Syamer Kutty Abba, Syafiq Ahmad and the naturalised La’Vere Corbin-Ong.

Portuguese Morais said he had ample time to finalise his squad ahead of the AFC Champions League preliminary match against Muangthong United at the SCG Stadium in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on Jan 23.

The winners of that match take on J-League side Kashiwa Reysol in the final playoff round for the AFC Champions League at the Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Stadium in Kashiwa on Jan 30.

“I’m very happy with the dedication and hard work shown by the players throughout training.

“I understand that they may be tired due to the vigorous pre-season fitness training, so I’m not placing too much importance on the outcome of our upcoming friendly matches,” said Morais.

“The team have been undergoing tough training throughout the day and night and I can say that our preparations are running smoothly.

“We’re waiting for our remaining players who are now in China representing the national Under-23 team and our Asian import player.”

“We can’t announce who the player is yet as we need to consider several technical issues.

“Nonetheless, our current group of players have shown positive results,” he said.

JDT kicked off their pre-season with a 4-0 win over Indonesian side Mitra Kukar in a friendly at the Larkin Stadium yesterday with goals from Figueroa (17th and 45th minute), Safiq Rahim (42nd) and Bruno Soares (47th).

The team will fly off to Thailand for their pre-season today.

They are scheduled to play three friendly matches against Army United (Wednesday), Chonburi (Saturday) and Port FC (Jan 15).