Latest news with #JohorDarulTa'zim's
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Arif Aiman is Malaysia's finest, says JDT teammate Hevel
KUALA LUMPUR: Hector Hevel may be new to Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) system, but it has taken him no time to identify Malaysia's finest player — teammate Arif Aiman Hanapi. The Dutch midfielder, who made his Harimau Malaya debut in March, first got a close-up look at Arif Aiman's ability during national team duty. That impression only grew when he joined JDT two months ago and began training with the 23-year-old winger daily. "Arif Aiman is the best player in Malaysia. He's incredible. Out of nowhere, he creates something," said the 29-year-old. "He can be standing still and suddenly dribble past three players, and now he's also looking to run in behind the goal. "He's fast, he's smart, and he helps us a lot. He shows his quality every game, so I don't think we have to say much more — he proves it on the pitch." Hevel was speaking after JDT's commanding 3-0 win over Selangor in the Charity Shield at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Friday — his first competitive appearance in the M-League, and one in which the defending champions overwhelmed last season's runners-up from start to finish. "They were prepared, so we knew we had to start strong, especially in the first 15 minutes. Scoring early helped us a lot, and from there we just kept pushing and pushing. We know we're an amazing team, and this is our way of showing respect to the opponent — by never letting up. What we did today was special," he said. Hevel added that JDT's chemistry is already taking shape despite several new arrivals in the squad. "We have a lot of new players, but the guys who were already here helped us a lot during pre-season to adapt and get to know each other better. Every day we're working hard, and from there the chemistry comes. That's what we try to improve on every day," he said. Having lifted his first silverware in Malaysia, Hevel insists JDT's hunger is only beginning. "This is the best feeling. It's just the first of many. We're pushing in the league, the Asian Champions League Elite, every competition we can. We want to win everything we can," he said.
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Southern Tiger's new winger Teto could fill in nicely for Juan
Welcome aboard: Alberto Martin Diaz, also known as Teto Martin, is the latest signing for JDT. PETALING JAYA: Young Spanish winger Alberto Martin Diaz could be the perfect replacement for Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) outgoing seasoned campaigner Juan Martin. The 23-year-old, who goes by the more familiar name of Teto Martin, will be joining the Southern Tigers for the upcoming Super League season. The youngster will give JDT head coach Xisco Munoz more tactical options, especially on the flanks with the departure of Martin. Martin, 33, said goodbye to JDT after his contract ended, bidding farewell to a club he had called home for the past three years and won multiple trophies with. Soon to be wearing the No. 20 jersey, Teto primarily plays on the right wing, but his versatility will allow him to play on the left or even in other attacking positions. Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Teto spent his footballing career with CD Tenerife. He made his debut for the team's reserve squad four years ago, scoring in their win over Atletico Union Guimar in the Spanish Tercera Division (third division) after coming on as a substitute. Teto played for the first time at the end of 2021 during a Spanish King's Cup match against CD Ibiza Islas Pitiusas, coming on as a substitute in extra time to help Tenerife win 2-1. At 20, he made his professional debut in the Spanish Segunda Division (second division) in 2022, scoring his first goal against Malaga in their 3-1 win. Following Tenerife's relegation last season, Teto made the move to Johor to join JDT as they chase their 12th league title.
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
By One Martin for the other - JDT's new winger Teto could fill in nicely for Juan
PETALING JAYA: Young Spanish winger Alberto Martin Diaz could be the perfect replacement for Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) outgoing seasoned campaigner Juan Martin. The 23-year-old, who goes by the more familiar name of Teto Martin, will be joining the Southern Tigers for the upcoming Super League season. The youngster will give JDT head coach Xisco Munoz more tactical options, especially on the flanks with the departure of Martin. Martin, 33, said goodbye to JDT after his contract ended, bidding farewell to a club he had called home for the past three years and won multiple trophies with. Soon to be wearing the No. 20 jersey, Teto primarily plays on the right wing, but his versatility will allow him to play on the left or even in other attacking positions. Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Teto spent his footballing career with CD Tenerife. He made his debut for the team's reserve squad four years ago, scoring in their win over Atletico Union Guimar in the Spanish Tercera Division (third division) after coming on as a substitute. Teto played for the first time at the end of 2021 during a Spanish King's Cup match against CD Ibiza Islas Pitiusas, coming on as a substitute in extra time to help Tenerife win 2-1. At 20, he made his professional debut in the Spanish Segunda Division (second division) in 2022, scoring his first goal against Malaga in their 3-1 win. Following Tenerife's relegation last season, Teto made the move to Johor to join JDT as they chase their 12th league title.
New Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Analyst fears JDT's Asian quest could affect national team
SUPER League giants Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) pursuit of Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) glory could come at a cost to the national team. This is the view of football analyst Dr Zulakbal Abdul Karim, who holds an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Professional Coaching Diploma. The Southern Tigers have added foreign-based national players Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel to their squad for the 2025–2026 season. JDT already boast a strong core of national players including Syihan Hazmi, Matthew Davies, La'Vere Corbin-Ong, Shahrul Saad, Afiq Fazail, Nazmi Faiz Mansor, Arif Aiman Hanapi, as well as naturalised players Mohamadou Sumareh and Romel Morales. Zulakbal believes JDT's determination to succeed at Asia's highest level is pushing them to reinforce every area of their squad. "JDT are clearly dominant in the M-League due to their squad depth and structure, but the ACLE is a different ball game," said Zulakbal. "The ACLE has become JDT's main target. They've been investing heavily for several seasons now, but haven't made it past the second round. "We've seen them bring in big name foreign players, and with national and naturalised players, they've built a strong side — but the breakthrough still hasn't come. "Now, by bringing in foreign-based national players, they're trying to raise the bar even higher. There's nothing wrong with ambition — in fact, it's a positive sign. We should commend JDT for having this winning mindset." However, Zulakbal also warned that the move could affect the national team in the long run. He pointed out that foreign-based players like Irazabal and Hevel demonstrated a high-level of play during Malaysia's 4-0 win over Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier earlier this month. "We want our foreign-based national players to continue playing abroad because they benefit from greater intensity and competitiveness, which sharpens them for international duty," he said. "Against Vietnam, we saw their quality and composure. "If they return to play in the M-League, which lacks the same level of competition, there's a risk they'll become blunt — and that will impact the national team's overall quality.
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
JDT signs Harimau Malaya centre-back Irazabal for new season
KUALA LUMPUR: Spanish-born centre-back Jon Irazabal has become Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) latest signing ahead of the 2025-2026 M-League season. The 29-year-old joins the Super League champions after three solid seasons with Azerbaijan's Sabah FC, where he made 79 appearances and scored five goals. Irazabal, who made his debut for Harimau Malaya in a 4-0 win over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifier at Bukit Jalil on June 10, will wear the No. 17 jersey at JDT. He is expected to strengthen the Southern Tigers' backline under newly appointed head coach Xisco Munoz. Irazabal becomes the fourth new face unveiled by JDT, following the arrivals of Spanish defender Antonio Glauder, Brazilian attacker Jairo Da Silva and defender Ibrahim Manusi. JDT will kick off their pre-season with a tour of Spain from July 3-22, with one of the highlights being a friendly against newly promoted La Liga side Levante UD. Meanwhile, Fergus Tierney has signed with Super League side Sabah for the upcoming season. "We welcome our new forward, Fergus, who joins us after completing his loan with Thai League side Nakhon Pathom United and previously with JDT," the club announced on Facebook. "Part of Malaysia's national team, and now, part of our family. A new chapter begins." The 22-year-old Scottish-Malaysian forward has been on fans' radar since making his senior debut for Harimau Malaya late last year. Tierney was called up for the national training camp in November 2024 for friendlies against Laos and India, replacing the injured Romel Morales. He earned his first cap on Nov 14, 2024, in a 3-1 win over Laos, and scored his first international goal on Dec 8, 2024, in a 2-2 draw with Cambodia during the Asean Cup.
