JDT won’t rest on their laurels despite imminent league win
PETALING JAYA: Now is not the time to celebrate yet.
Johor Darul Ta’zim coach Raul Longhi is refusing to get carried away despite the Super League crown is now for them to lose.
JDT are just two wins away from claiming their fifth consecutive league victory — and a coveted AFC Champions League spot for next season — after stretching their lead at the summit to 13 points with a 2-0 win over Terengganu at Larkin Stadium on Wednesday.
There are six matches remaining and JDT will resume their race to attain an unassailable lead when they take on Melaka in an away game next Tuesday.
But Longhi insists there’s still plenty to play for in the remaining fixtures.
“Winning the league? No. I have not thought of that yet because my focus is on our remaining fixtures,” said Longhi.
“Let’s take one match at a time. We’re not there yet, but definitely on the right track.”
Longhi was delighted with his side’s convincing performance over fifth-placed Terengganu, courtesy of first half strikes from foreign stars Marcos Antonio and Gonzalo Cabrera.
JDT played their final 18 minutes with just 10 men after Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak was red carded for fouling J. Partiban, but there was nothing the visitors could do to stop JDT from notching their 13th win of the season.
But it was the ever-improving 20-year-old Syamer Kutty Abba who had particularly impressed Longhi.
“He’s been very consistent. I fielded him in the last two matches and he clearly did not disappoint,” said Longhi.
“I know all the young local players at the club and I always try to improve their performances and instil the confidence in them because they are very important for the club in the future.”