JDT aim to make their mark in Asian Champions League
JOHOR BARU: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) want to give the established clubs in Asia a run for their money when the Southern Tigers make their debut in the AFC Asian Champions League next season.
Club owner Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim said this would be the first time that JDT and another Malaysia team would be playing in the region’s top club football competition.
He was honest about JDT’s chances in the AFC Asian Champions League and did not have high expectations for the team but does not want to see his team to be the whipping boys.
“I want to see JDT become aggressive in the AFC Asian Champions league but I am happy and proud to see our situation where our local young players such as Safawi Rashid and the others will have the opportunity to play in Asia’s highest level (of club football).
“They will learn so much more from good players around them and not only will it benefit the club but also the national team and it is good for Malaysian football that JDT is playing in the tournament,” he added.
Tunku Ismail said this after meeting with the Sportswriter Association of Malaysia (SAM) officials at a hotel here on Monday night.
He also added that the club will be busy in the transfer market for next season’s campaign and have already snapped up Brazilian defender Mauricio Nascimento to replace Marcos Antonio.
Tunku Ismail said it would be tough for JDT in the transfer market due to currency issues but they already have three targets.
“Marcos is an experienced and intelligent player despite doubts about him as he did not do well in Nuremberg but he has been the best defender in the country in the last four years.
“Mauricio is a more robust player. He is aggres- sive, dynamic, have better pace and strength and he played in teams such as Lazio from the Serie A and it is an achievement for a club like JDT to have him play with us,” he added.
Tunku Ismail also said that JDT will go on a pre-season tour in Thailand in early January to prepare for the 2019 season.
He added that football clubs in Thailand have good teams and it would not put a dent on the team’s finances.
“I admire the Thai league a lot and I like to see what my neighbour is doing because they have been doing a good job in scouting young talents and exposing them to high-level games.
“If we look at the army or navy team there, they have better facilities than most of the teams in Malaysia because they put the money in the right place and I hope teams here are able to follow them because we should do the same thing,” he added.