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New Straits Times
42 minutes ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
JDT placed in Pot 1, a major boost for ACLE campaign
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have received a major boost ahead of the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) after being placed in Pot 1 for Friday's draw. The 11-time consecutive Super League champions will share the top pot with J-League winners Vissel Kobe, South Korea's Ulsan HD, China's Shanghai Port, Thai champions Buriram United and Australia's Melbourne City. Pot 2 features Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Machida Zelvia, South Korea's Gangwon and Seoul, and China's Shanghai Shenhua and Chengdu Rongcheng. JDT will play eight matches — four home, four away — in the 12-team East Asia elite league, with the top eight teams advancing to the round of 16. Last season, the Southern Tigers finished third in the East Asia League stage but crashed out in the last 16 after a 1-0 aggregate defeat to Buriram. The new season kicks off next month and runs until April.
Sinar Daily
08-07-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
JDT retains status as Malaysia's most valuable football team
This high valuation is attributed to the addition of three heritage players and several quality foreign imports, bringing head coach Xisco Muñoz's squad to 39 players in total. Jairo Da Silva (centre) is currently the second most valuable player in the JDT squad with a market value of RM4.4 million. – Photo: Johor Southern Tigers SHAH ALAM - Super League giants Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have further cemented their status as Malaysia's most valuable football club, with the Southern Tigers now valued at €14.08 million (RM71.8 million), according to the latest figures from football market analysis site Transfermarkt. This high valuation was attributed to the addition of three heritage players and several quality foreign imports, bringing head coach Xisco Muñoz's squad to 39 players in total. The most valuable player in the current JDT lineup was new Harimau Malaya heritage striker Joao Figueiredo, who was valued at €2 million (RM9.96 million) following his confirmed signing with the club. The most valuable player in the current JDT squad is the new Harimau Malaya heritage striker, Joao Figueiredo (left), who is valued at €2 million (RM9.96 million). – Photo: Johor Southern Tigers Brazilian striker Jairo Da Silva ranked second at €900,000 (RM4.4 million), followed by fellow heritage player Jon Irazabal at €600,000 (RM3 million). Hector Hevel, who joined from Portuguese club Portimonense, was estimated to be worth €400,000 (RM2 million). Meanwhile, the most valuable local player in the squad remained JDT's standout star Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi, a four-time Most Valuable Player at the National Football Awards, with a market value of €650,000 (RM3.2 million). So far, JDT has signed eight new players for the 2025/2026 season: Irazabal, Hevel, Figueiredo, Jairo, Antonio Glauder, Ibrahim Manusi, Moussa Sidibe and Jonathan Silva, with the combined value of these new signings amounting to approximately RM28 million. This aggressive recruitment strategy involving top-tier heritage and foreign players is part of JDT's serious preparations for next season's Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE), the Asean Club Championship (ACC) and domestic competitions in the Malaysian League. The club also released 11 players at the end of last season, including Jese Rodriguez, Alvaro Gonzalez, Jordi Amat, Murilo Henrique, Jonathan Viera, Roque Mesa and Anselmo de Moraes, as well as local players Safiq Rahim, Farizal Marlias, Izham Tarmizi and Ramadhan Saifullah, whose contracts were not renewed. Despite these reinforcements, JDT's current market value has dipped slightly from last season's figure of €17.2 million (RM85.62 million), when the club had bolstered its squad for the ACLE group stage. However, the club's valuation was expected to rise again should JDT continue its pursuit of high-calibre signings in line with its ambitious goal of qualifying for the FIFA Club World Cup in the future. Next season is set to be one of JDT's most challenging yet, with the club competing in three major tournaments namely the Malaysian League, ACC and ACLE. More Like This
New Straits Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
DPMM FC to foot travel bill for Super League teams heading to Brunei
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has confirmed that DPMM FC will fully sponsor all Malaysian Super League teams travelling to Brunei during the 2025-2026 season. MFL acting chief executive officer Shazli Shaik said the sponsorship arrangement forms part of a key agreement between MFL and DPMM to ensure the smooth participation of the Brunei-based club in the M-League. Under the agreement, DPMM will cover all travel and accommodation expenses. The move mirrors the support the club previously extended to teams in Singapore's S-League. "One of the most important matters in our agreement with DPMM is this sponsorship," said Shazli after the launch of the official match ball for the 2025-2026 season on Saturday. "DPMM requested that it be implemented for the upcoming season, and they've confirmed Brunei will bear the cost." Shazli clarified that although DPMM will compete in the M-League, the club are not eligible to represent Malaysia in international club competitions - Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE), Asian Champions League 2 (ACL2) and Asean Club Championship (ACC). "If Brunei qualify, they will not represent Malaysia as a national slot holder," he said. At the event, MFL unveiled the official ball for the new season - the PUMA Orbita MFL 1. Shazli also announced that 12 teams have confirmed their home venues, with Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan identified as an alternative site should any team face last-minute issues. He revealed that Immigration FC have been given until Monday to confirm their venue, while MFL will travel to Brunei on July 10-11 for a special briefing with DPMM . "Our East Coast zone is settled. The Darulmakmur Stadium will serve as a backup venue if necessary," he said. The 13 teams who will play in the M-League next season are Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Selangor, Penang, Kuching City, Sabah, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan Darul Naim, KL City, Police, DPMM, Melaka and Immigration.
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
JDT star Afiq claims ACLE Best Assist award
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) midfielder Afiq Fazail has earned a rare accolade by winning the Best Assist award for the 2024-2025 Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) season. The 30-year-old's pinpoint pass in JDT's 3-0 win over Ulsan HD at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Nov 5 last year garnered 32.73 per cent of fan votes on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website. Afiq edged a host of top players, including Al-Ahli duo Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez, Al-Hilal's Joao Cancelo and Al-Sadd's Akram Afif. He was also one of only two Southeast Asian players nominated — the other being Thailand's Suphanat Mueanta of Buriram United. In the match against Ulsan, Afiq made an immediate impact after coming on as a substitute in the 88th minute. His lofted pass split the defence and found Bergson da Silva, who controlled the ball brilliantly before slotting it past goalkeeper Jo Hyeon Woo for JDT's third goal. Al-Ahli defender Roger Ibanez came second with 26.71 per cent for his assist against Al Wasl, while Mahrez, the former Manchester City winger, finished third with 20.78 per cent for his assist in the semi-final against Al-Hilal.
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Club World Cup dream within reach for JDT, says Garcia
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have set their sights on qualifying for the Club World Cup (CWC), with chief executive officer Luis Garcia declaring the goal achievable if the team continue to progress at continental level. Garcia said consistent performances in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) would boost JDT's Asian club ranking and improve their chances of representing Malaysia on the world stage. "With the potential expansion of the CWC, our aim is to consistently reach the latter stages of the ACLE," said Garcia. "This is key to strengthening our position in Asia and flying Malaysia's flag at the highest level of club football." Garcia admitted the mission won't be easy. "Asia's top level demands excellence. We cannot take our foot off the gas if we're to achieve this. Our 2025-26 signings reflect this ambition, and JDT's success will ultimately be a success for Malaysian football." The Southern Tigers have qualified for the ACLE every season since 2019 but have yet to reach the quarter-finals. Four Asian teams — Urawa Red Diamonds, Al-Hilal, Ulsan HD and Al-Ain — are representing the continent in the ongoing Club World Cup in the United States. While three sides exited in the group stage, Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal caused a major upset by beating Premier League giants Manchester City 4-3 in the last 16 on Tuesday. They will face Brazilian side Fluminense in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Garcia added that JDT are working to meet the vision of club owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who wants the club to maximise their potential and raise the profile of both Johor and Malaysian football internationally. "As Malaysia's sole representative in the ACLE since 2019, JDT have contributed the bulk of the nation's ranking points in Asia," said Garcia. "This has opened doors for more Malaysian clubs to play in Asia. But to build on that, we must aim higher, stay consistent, and push for greater representation." Last season, JDT signed several former La Liga stars, including Jese Rodríguez, Alvaro Gonzalez, Samu Castillejo, Jonathan Viera and Roque Mesa, in a squad worth nearly RM70 million. However, they were knocked out in the round of 16 by Thailand's Buriram United in a 1-0 loss.
