Kuching City head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak insists his side are ready to embrace the biggest challenge of their season when they face reigning Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the Piala Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (Piala Sumbangsih) 2026/27.
Kuching City enter the season-opening curtain-raiser facing a JDT side that are chasing an extraordinary 109-match unbeaten run in the Malaysia Super League, but Aidil insists his team will not be distracted by the record.
Instead, the Kuching coach wants his players to focus on themselves, their attitude and their opportunity to produce a major upset.
“Every game that we’re going to play against JDT is always tough. It’s not going to be easy because we know their strengths.”
“But we only focus on our side, what we can do and what we want to achieve. Tomorrow, hopefully, we will try to play to win.”
Aidil revealed that Kuching City will be without several important players for the clash.
James Okwuosa, Ronald Wanga, Jerome Otome, Bonai and Jimmy are among the key players unavailable, creating a significant challenge for a squad that has also undergone considerable changes during the off-season.
Kuching City have introduced nine new players, leaving Aidil with the difficult task of integrating fresh faces in a short period.
“For one month, it’s not enough. They are still trying their best, and definitely they are slowly adapting.”
The coach, however, believes progress is already visible.
“Day by day, we are getting better. Hopefully, after at least three games, I think we will be stronger than our first game.”
Several new players have also had to deal with injuries during their transition into the squad, making fitness one of the main factors in Aidil’s team selection.
“The most important thing for tomorrow’s game is who is ready and who is fit.”
Aidil confirmed that Bonai and Jimmy, who suffered injuries while with the national team, will not recover in time to face JDT.
“With the injuries, I don’t think they will be fully fit in one or two days for the JDT game. So definitely, they are out.”
The absence of several established players means Kuching may need to rely heavily on their new recruits and younger squad members.
For Aidil, however, the situation simply reinforces the need for everyone available to step up.
JDT’s extraordinary unbeaten record is arguably the biggest storyline surrounding the match.
The Southern Tigers are closing in on 109 consecutive league matches without defeat, but Aidil insists his players cannot afford to become obsessed with the statistic.
“About their record, for me, we don’t think about it because we only focus on our side.”
Aidil recognises the enormous quality available to JDT, as well as the advantage they possess from playing at home in front of their supporters.
“They always have the advantage in quality players, everything. You talk about the stadium, fans and they play the first game with their own fans. So there’s an advantage for them.”
Yet that only makes the challenge more attractive for Kuching City.
“It’s going to be a lot of hard work and a lot of team spirit to put on the pitch.”
Experienced defender James Okwuosa echoed his coach’s belief that Kuching City should not spend too much time worrying about JDT’s recruitment or individual players.
Instead, the squad must concentrate on developing its own chemistry.
“What other teams do is none of our business. The most important thing is we focus on ourselves.”
Okwuosa believes football is about creating unexpected moments.
“We are here to create upsets, create history.”
For the Nigerian defender, the match also represents an opportunity to establish himself as an important figure within the new-look Kuching City squad.
“I want to make a name for myself also because these are the kind of games that can keep you at a level where you know you can compete in the next stage in the AFC and other games coming.”
With Ronald Wanga unavailable, Okwuosa is expected to take greater responsibility in central defence.
The experienced defender believes the new defensive unit is adapting well, with players such as Gabriel, Ifan and Yuki working to develop their understanding.
“It’s all about understanding each other and communication.”
Okwuosa insists the changes will not become an excuse.
“Everybody is willing to understand each other because our aim is to achieve greater heights.”
The message is clear: Kuching City must build chemistry quickly because JDT will punish even the smallest defensive mistake.
Okwuosa also highlighted the importance of the opening stages.
JDT will be playing at home and are determined to continue their historic unbeaten run, making the first period potentially decisive.
“We know they are playing at home and they want to create history. We know it’s going to be tough.”
“We need the three points to put in our bag and take home.”
That mentality captures Kuching City’s approach to the match: respect JDT, but do not fear them.
The occasion carries additional significance for Kuching City because it represents their first-ever Piala Sumbangsih appearance.
“This is my third time playing in the Super Cup. I learned a lot from the previous ones — what it means and what it takes.”
He is delighted to see Kuching City reach the stage for the first time.
“For Kuching City, I’m very happy that this is their first time.”
The club also has ambitions beyond the domestic campaign, with continental football forming part of an increasingly demanding season.
Okwuosa believes the team must balance its targets rather than attempt to accomplish everything immediately.
“We have so many targets this coming season, but definitely you cannot achieve everything at one time. We have to balance.”
Kuching City have another source of motivation, after they suffered defeat to JDT in last season’s final after coming close to producing an upset.
That experience remains fresh in the minds of the players.
“The last game that we lost to them in the final, we were nearly there to create an upset. Unfortunately, that’s football.”
Okwuosa believes the desire of the players will ultimately determine whether Kuching can shock the champions.
“The most important thing is the desire of the players — how much they want to win.”
Aidil also emphasised that the match should be about more than simply winning a trophy.
He wants both sides to deliver a performance worthy of Malaysian football’s biggest stage.
“What every fan and every Malaysian wants to see is a good game.”
The result may be beyond their control, but the coach insists the attitude is not.
“The performance, we want to give our best. We want to always put in 100 percent and be honest to the club that we want to achieve something.”
For Kuching City, it is about raising their own standards while showing that JDT can be challenged.
Credit Photo : Jayden Seah/SNE-Photo
