Make a jumbo effort!

Longhi urges JDT to step up for top-of-the-table clash with Elephants

PETALING JAYA: Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) coach Raul Longhi expects his players to step up as he sets his sights on the top-of-the-table clash against Pahang at the Larkin Stadium on Wednesday.

The Southern Tigers strengthened their hold at the top of the 12-team table despite an unconvincing 2-0 win over Perak at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh on Saturday, thanks to goals from new signings – Fernando Marquez (sixth minute, penalty) and Jorge Silva (83rd).

The four-time Super League champions have collected 32 points after 13 matches, while Perak dropped to third with 23 points behind second-placed Pahang at 24.

“We’ll face Pahang next and I know it’ll be a difficult match for us. We want to give the best performance but if you face a strong team with great midfielders, it’s not easy for us to control such a match,” said Longhi.

“The three points we won are very important to us. Of course, I’m happy with the win but I know we need to improve our quality. The players did not give a good performance, they often lost the ball but I can’t deny that the match against Perak was not an easy one.

“Our players had to work hard to win the match and now we have an eight-point lead over others, and that’s good.

“I know as a whole, it was not the greatest match but what’s important is that we worked hard to win it.”

The 66-year-old Longhi said debutant Marquez made a good impression and would be focusing on recovery ahead of the clash against bitter rivals Pahang.

“Fernando just had a day’s training with us but he’s a player with a good attitude, is hardworking and likes to play with several good combinations. This type of mentality is needed in a team,” said the Argentinian.

“All players need to undergo a recovery session. We’re in the Ramadan month now, so it’s difficult for the players to have training sessions and play football.

“The players will return on Monday for training to prepare as much as possible before facing Pahang.”

— Bernama The ball is mine: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s ( JDT) Ahmad Hazwan Bakri shielding the ball from Perak’s Mohd Nor Hakim Hassan in the Super League match at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh on Saturday. Inset: Fernando Marquez (centre) celebrating after scoring the...