KUALA LUMPUR – Preparation is everything for Malaysia Super League’s number one team, Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (JDT) to get off the season on the right foot.
JDT, led by Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, have planned several friendly matches in Dubai, United Arab Emirates as part of their preparations to face the competition in the new season.
As the team arrived in Dubai four days ago, club manager and head coach Esteban Solari said playing in friendlies would help him harness the squad’s potential to the fullest.
“I have been very clear with them from the beginning. I want them to reach their best performance with us.
“The most important thing is they understand the system we will play and everybody can feel comfortable to give their best.
“We are working a lot on the functionality of the game, and how we would want to build up and create the progression of the game, as well as on how we would work on our defence.
“We are working every day, and the team is responding very well,” said Solari in a video interview.
Ahead of the M-League and Asian Champions League, JDT have chosen Dubai as the training ground destination by holding a series of pre-season friendly matches with football clubs from UAE and Bulgaria’s Levski Sofia.
Some of Russia’s best teams include Rostov, Lokomotiv Moscow, and Zenit St. Petersburg.
“JDT are a club of the highest standard. So, when we decided to come here to play teams with good players and in a better position in the league like the Russian teams, we can improve our game because this is about learning for us.
“I want the players to have a growth mindset, which means they need to learn every game and work on their resilience…all of which are important for a football player.
“Of course, we would like to compete and win the game, but most importantly, (the goal) is to play against high-level teams here in Dubai,” Solari added.
JDT will start off their campaign with the first match against Rostov today. – The Vibes, January 25, 2023
