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KUALA LUMPUR – Defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (JDT) thrashed Selangor FC 4-0 last night at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium to continue their impressive unbeaten run in the Super League.
JDT started the match strongly as they had come close on many attempts to score but Selangor goalkeeper Mohd Khairulazhan Mohd Khalid managed to keep the Southern Tigers at bay in the first half.
However, in the second half, Selangor could not hold back their rivals for long as JDT midfielder Juan Muniz Gallego broke the deadlock in the 54th minute.
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With JDT in control of the match, 12 minutes later their Brazilian import, Diogo Luis Santo scored the second goal after his tight-angle shot just at the edge of the six-yard box leaving the Selangor defenders stunned.
The Red Giants’ disappointing night went from bad to worse when JDT’s Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi’s inch-perfect assist to Argentinian Fernando Marin Forestieri in the 76th minute saw the visitors lead by three goals.
The misery for Selangor continued when Forestieri scored his second goal of the night in the 81st minute.
JDT’s win tonight was their 5th consecutive win, making them the only team in the league with a perfect record.
After the match, JDT head coach Esteban Solari said his men showed outstanding character to dig deep and launch an all-out attack in the second half.
“We had the quality and intensity, but in football, you also need to show character and that is what the players did today.
“We know Selangor has a good team and coach, so we are very happy to be able to win playing on their home ground,” he said.
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Solari added that 20-year-old Arif Aiman has been showing great potential and versatility in playing different positions.
“I want to be able to give him the best chance to show his potential, that is why I don’t want him to only be playing in one position,” he said.
JDT have only conceded one goal so far in the season, which came during their previous match against Kelantan FC, which they won 5-1.
Meanwhile, Selangor head coach Tan Cheng Hoe said his decision to substitute star player Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim early in the second half was a safety precaution.
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“He had some muscle problems, so he requested to be subbed out. We did not want to aggravate the issue further as we still have a long season ahead of us,” he said.
Tan said the Red Giants lost their shape in the second half, leaving room for JDT to fully control the match.
“That is why reaction from the players is important, we can’t be waiting around for something to happen,” he added.
Meanwhile, JDT’s next opponent Sabah FC, who they will play on March 31, went on to win 5-2 against Penang FC earlier last night. – The Vibes, March 18, 2023
