Latest news with #JDT
The Star
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Farizal hopes every keeper in JDT gets chance to shine via smart rotation
Set for kick-off: Players and officials at the official launch of Astro as the Super League's broadcaster for a third consecutive season yesterday. KUALA LUMPUR: Former national goalkeeper Farizal Marlias is backing Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT)'s deep goalkeeping unit to shine this Super League season, provided there's smart rotation and healthy competition between the posts. With Spanish goalkeeper Andoni Zubiaurre and Spanish-Malaysian prospect Christian Abad joining the squad, and national No. 1 Ahmad Syihan Hazmi already in the mix, JDT's goalkeeping department is stacked with quality. For Farizal, who played for a decade at JDT from 2015 to 2025, this is an ideal scenario but one that must be managed well. 'I see it this way - I hope the goalkeepers can be rotated. I'm really hoping for that,' said the 39-year-old, who also previously featured for Perak and Selangor. 'Syihan is performing at a high level and represents the national team. With the volume of matches and competitions, rotating based on form and match needs would be the most effective approach.' Farizal was speaking at the official launch of Astro as the Super League's broadcaster for a third consecutive season, held at Marriott Hotel yesterday. Now transitioning into a punditry role, Farizal will be a key voice this season as he offers insights from the studio. When asked about JDT's chances in 2025, he did not hesitate. 'Every team must be physically and mentally ready for the season. At JDT, the squad depth is exceptional. They have the quality to compete in every competition they enter. The team are ready.' Farizal also weighed in on the broader landscape of the Super League, particularly the challengers looking to dethrone JDT. 'Selangor's recent pre-season form has been a little worrying, but I hope they can bounce back and have a positive impact on the league,' he said. 'Matches between JDT and Selangor have always been fiery and entertaining. We miss that intensity and quality - I hope to see it again in the Charity Shield on August 8.'
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
'Selangor fans deserve better, don't insult their intelligence' — TMJ slams club CEO
JOHOR Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has slammed Selangor FC chief executive officer Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon for claiming that the Red Giants are closing the gap with the Southern Tigers. In a scathing post on X, the Regent of Johor refuted Johan's remarks made at a recent partnership event with Provident, where the Selangor CEO said: 'In my view, we need to be realistic and consider the competitive nature of our league. Over the past two seasons, we have successfully narrowed the gap with the champions (JDT).' ALSO READ: Tunku Mahkota Ismail calls for mindset change to solve persistent issues in M-League Johan also reaffirmed Selangor's key performance indicators—finishing in the top two of the Super League, reaching the finals of the Malaysia Cup and FA Cup and progressing to the knockout stages of the Asean Club Championship and AFC Champions League II. But Tunku Ismail wasn't having it. 'Selangor FC CEO Johan said the gap between JDT and Selangor is narrowing? But here are the facts, 2023 – 15-point gap in the league; 2024-25 – 28-point gap; 2022 – Lost 5-1, drew 1-1, lost 2-1 in the Malaysia Cup final; 2023 – Lost 4-0, 4-0, and 2-0; 2024-25 – Lost 3-0 at home and 6-1 — the biggest defeat ever in an FA Cup final. 'So please explain, Johan, how exactly is Selangor closing the gap? 'If you're trying to cover up your own failures, at least don't insult the intelligence of your own supporters. Selangor fans deserve better,' he wrote. Tunku Ismail's remarks come at a time when Selangor are still struggling to reclaim their former glory. Once considered giants of Malaysian football, the Red Giants have not won a major trophy since the 2015 Malaysia Cup. Their last Super League title was in 2010. Despite attempts to rebrand their decade-long rebuild as steady progress, many critics argue that Selangor's performance on the pitch tells a different story. Last season, the club's only silverware was the second-tier Challenge Cup after a win over Police—hardly the mark of a side closing in on JDT's dominance. With the Charity Shield curtain-raiser between JDT and Selangor set for August 8 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Tunku Ismail's fiery statement has undoubtedly added extra spice to the clash.
New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Tunku Ismail: 'Don't insult your fans'
KUALA LUMPUR: "Don't insult the intelligence of Selangor fans." That is Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim's response to Selangor FC chief executive officer Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon's claim that they are closing the gap with the Southern Tigers. The Regent of Johor's comments on X came despite former Malaysian football aristocrats Selangor having won no major trophies since 2015. At a partnership event with Provident on Wednesday, Johan told the media: "In my view, we need to be realistic and consider the competitive nature of our league. Over the past two seasons, we have successfully narrowed the gap with the champions (JDT)." He added that Selangor's KPI remain unchanged: top two in the Super League, finals in the Malaysia Cup and FA Cup, and progression to the knockout rounds in the Asean Club Championship and AFC Champions League II. But Tunku Ismail posted on X: "Selangor CEO Johan said the gap between JDT and Selangor is narrowing? 2023 – 15-point difference in the league; 2024-25 – 28-point difference; 2022 – Lost 5-1, drew 1-1, lost 2-1 in the Malaysia Cup final; 2023 – Lost 4-0, 4-0, and 2-0; 2024-25 – Lost 3-0 at home and 6-1, the biggest defeat in FA Cup final history. "So please explain to me, Johan, how exactly has Selangor narrowed the gap? If you're trying to cover up your own failures, at least don't insult the intelligence of your own supporters. Selangor fans deserve better." While Johan may have hoped to portray Selangor's decade-long rebuild as progress, critics see the results on the pitch as proof that the Red Giants are still light years behind JDT. With Selangor's last Super League title coming in 2010, the FA Cup in 2009 and the Malaysia Cup in 2015, their fans have grown increasingly restless amid the club's rhetoric about a "long-term project". Last season, Selangor were only able to lift the second-tier Challenge Cup after beating Police in the final, a far cry from the elite status they once held. Now, with the Charity Shield showdown between Selangor and JDT set for Aug 8 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Tunku Ismail has fired the opening shot.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Spanish midfielder Teto Martin joins JDT for new season
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) Football Club continues to strengthen its squad with the latest addition of young Spanish midfielder Alberto Martin Diaz, as the club gears up for the new season. The 23-year-old, commonly known as Teto Martin, was unveiled in a video uploaded to the official Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page. 'Our young Spanish midfielder. Welcome to Johor Darul Ta'zim FC, Teto!,' the club said in the post late last night. Teto will wear the number 20 jersey with the Southern Tigers. He previously spent 14 years at Spanish club CD Tenerife, making 98 official appearances for the first team and scoring six goals. - Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Clough ready to give his all for new club Red Giants
Tough battle: Zach Clough (left) vying for the ball with Asia Warriors' Victor Igbonefo during a friendly match. — Selangor FC PETALING JAYA: With just over a week to go before Selangor take on Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the Charity Shield, new signing Zach Clough knows the Red Giants still have work to do – but he's embracing the challenge. The former Nottingham Forest and Bolton Wanderers playmaker, who recently joined from Adelaide United, is quickly adapting to Malaysian football and believes Selangor is the perfect fit at this stage of his career. 'Selangor stood out among the offers I had. They want to succeed, they want to do well in Asia,' said Clough, 30. The Englishman is already analysing where the team must improve, especially after a tough pre-season outing against Asia Warriors. 'It was hard to break them down. We moved the ball well but a bit too slowly. That's something we can work on before facing JDT,' he said. Clough is focused on sharpening Selangor's attacking play and building chemistry under coach Katsuhito Kinoshi. 'We need to be more composed in the box and make smarter decisions. I'm here to contribute – score, create, and give everything for this club.' Facing defending champions JDT in the season opener is no easy task, but Clough sees it as a golden opportunity. 'They're a massive club and have raised the standard of Malaysian football. It's a chance to test ourselves against the best.'
