Game for more
Top Malaysian club JdT eye asian success.
FIVE-TIME Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) have set a new benchmark for football clubs in Malaysia – and now, they are game for more.
The Southern Tigers will be the first Malaysian club to compete in the AFC Champions – the Asian premier club competition this year under the guidance of owner Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim – and they want to make their presence felt.
JDT are entering the tournament as direct qualifiers to the group stage after years of building up sufficient ranking points.
Tunku Ismail has turned the club into a formidable side in just five years by winning numerous silverware and emerging as the top club in Malaysia since he took over in 2013.
JDT have won five Super League titles consecutively on the trot since 2014. They also have won the FA Cup in 2016 and the Malaysia Cup in 2018.
But their success of winning Asia’s second tier club competition – AFC Cup in 2015 was the biggest indicator that they have the potential to strut their stuff at the regional level.
The team have been boosted with the signing of Brazilian defender Mauricio Nascimento and Spaniard Aaron Niguez to make a splash in the Asian competition.
While fan expectations mount for a strong showing, Tunku Ismail is realistic about his club’s debut and does not want his team to become whipping boys.
Tunku Ismail, who’s looking to emulate the success of Thai clubs in the AFC Champions League believes that his club needs two more years to make an impact.
“Buriram started their project six years before us. The same goes with Muangthong, Chonburi and all,” said the crown prince of Johor.
“I admire the Thai league. They are doing a good job in scouting young talents and exposing them to high-level games.”
Tunku Ismail added that the AFC Champions League will be an eye opener to his young and upcoming players like Syamer Kutty Abba, Safawi Rasid and Haziq Nadzli.
“I want to see JDT become aggressive in the AFC Asian Champions league.
“I’m glad that our young players such as Safawi and the others have the opportunity to play in Asia’s highest level (of club football).”
He added: “They’ll learn so much from the good players in the league. It’ll benefit the club, the national team and it’s good for Malaysian football.”