Enough is enough
JDT out to break Klang Valley jinx in match with PKNS
We have another tough match in hand, the Shah Alam Stadium is an unlucky venue for us but we’ll be focused on giving everything to get the full points from this game.
Raul Longhi
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) coach Raul Longhi will map out plans to end his side’s Klang Valley jinx when they take on PKNS in their Super League clash at the Shah Alam Stadium tonight.
The defending champions suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Kuala Lumpur at the Cheras Football Stadium on Feb 11 and were held to a 2-2 draw by Selangor at the same venue on May 12.
PKNS, who are unbeaten in three matches, are expected to be a tough nut to crack as their coach – former national team coach Datuk K. Rajagopal – will have his own plans after suffering a 3-0 loss to JDT in Larkin on April 14.
The four-time Super League champions currently top the 12-team standings with an unassailable 28 points with 11 more matches to play.
But the Southern Tigers are without midfield maestro Natxo Insa, who has returned to Spain for treatment for his hamstring injury.
Longhi, however, said he had enough depth in his squad to face the crafty Red Ants.
“We have another tough match in hand, the Shah Alam Stadium is an unlucky venue for us but we’ll be focused on giving everything to get the full points from this game,” said the Argentine coach.
“All our players are injury-free except for Insa who’s in Spain for treatment and he will return to Malaysia soon but will still need at least two weeks to fully recover from his injury.
“Nazmi (Faiz Mansor) and Marcos (Antonio) will be making their return in this game, they are not injured in our last game – it was actually just cramps and they are OK now.”
The 66-year-old Longhi has picked former JDT striker Safee Sali and nippy Singapore winger Faris Ramli as the main threat and plans to use midfielders Hariss Harun and Afiq Fazail to contain the PKNS duo.
“We have our plans for this game but we need to keep an eye on PKNS’ attacking moves and track the movement of Safee and Faris especially,” added Longhi.