I need my men fresh for domestic league, says JDT coach

PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) coach Raul Longhi insists that his weakened team selection is not to blame for their 4-0 thrashing by Persija Jakarta in the AFC Cup.

The Argentinian raised a few eyebrows by leaving midfield generals Safiq Rahim, Natxo Insa and top scorer Safawi Rasid on the bench when they needed a win at the intimidating Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Tuesday.

While admitting he’s upset with the poor result, the 65-year-old defended his decision to field an “under-strength” starting XI because he needs his key members to be fit for a demanding domestic schedule.

Longhi stressed that winning their fifth straight Super League crown tops the agenda for the Southern Tigers, so is reclaiming the FA Cup they last won in 2016.

Winning the national top-flight league is more rewarding as the champions will qualify directly for the AFC Champions League group stage next season.

“I’m certainly not happy (with Tuesday’s match) ... but, we need to rotate our players,” said Longhi.

Longhi said his attacking trio of Darren Lok, Syafiq Ahmad and Nazmi Faiz Mansor were supposed to be good enough to get the goals, but they came up short.

“We wanted to win and bring home three points or (at least) one. We have never planned to come home empty-handed,” said Longhi.

“In football, if the attacking is blunt then it would be hard to compete.”

Tuesday’s defeat left JDT in third place of Group H with seven points – three behind Persija and Song Lam Nghe An.

Only the group winners are assured of qualifying for the Asean zonal semi-final.

Longhi has urged his players to move on and get cracking for their upcoming league matches at home against PKNS on Saturday.

JDT will then host arch-rivals Pahang in the second leg of the FA Cup quarter-finals on April 20. The first match ended 0-0.

“These are two important matches. For now, we have no choice but to use the players we have and rotate them.

“We hope that the new players signed in May (transfer window) could help us compete better,” said Longhi.