Title in the bag but JDT want to keep up winning streak

PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are not showing signs of slowing down despite clinching their record fifth Super League crown.

The Southern Tigers edged Kedah 21 in their hotly contested Super League affair which saw both teams reduced to 10 men at the Darulaman Stadium in Alor Setar on Friday.

JDT took the lead through Gonzalo Cabrera (22nd minute) and Fernando Marquez (39th) while Kedah’s consolation goal was scored by Sandro Mendonca (79th).

JDT leftback La’vere CorbinOng picked up his second booking in the 65th minute for a foul on Rizal Ghazali while striker Paulo Rangel was sent off for an early shower in the 80th minute for being robust against JDT goalkeeper Farizal Marlias.

JDT coach Raul Longhi said his players controlled the game despite being reduced to 10 men.

“What’s important to me is that the players managed to retain their composure to win. It’s not easy for players to continue win ning after having won the league title. Our players managed to maintain their winning mentality,” said the Argentine coach after the match.

“In the first half, our players were controlling the game and we had several chances to score but we only netted two.

“We had some difficulties in the second half because we had to play with 10 men. We changed our formation to 441 for the situation and we successfully controlled the game.”

The win was JDT’s seventh successive league victory. They have 50 points from 19 matches and are runaway winners of the league.

The 66yearold coach said that the team’s next target is beat Kelantan in their home match at Larkin on July 20.

“We now want to enjoy this moment and are looking forward to the next match in Johor, where we will celebrate winning the league for the fifth consecutive time. After that we will focus on the Malaysia Cup,” he added.