A goal from Bergson and Forestieri of Johor Darul Ta’zim seals the win. It remains the only unbeaten team in the Malaysia Super League 2023 after defeating Sri Pahang FC 2-0 last Friday in the Stadium of Sultan Ibrahim, Johor. After the game, JDT head coach Esteban Solari shares some insight into the match.
“Today was a challenging game. We respected our rivals in every match and tried to play our best. Today we knew they would defend very well, so we wanted to control the game more.”
Esteban Solari added that they could have scored more goals before the halftime ended. But they couldn’t, as the Elephants (Sri Pahang FC) defended well.
Asking about Sri Pahang FC, Esteban Solair said, “It isn’t easy. Sri Pahang has a lot of tall players. Many of them have good height; thus, they are sitting inside. It’s not we do not work on our set pieces. It was the game that was too slow for us to perform the set pieces. We were not so effective in the set pieces, but sometimes I see the whole picture, not just offensive. I see the defensive too. I am delighted today.”
“All the teams in the Malaysia Super League team played in the same way until they met JDT FC; they played in another way. I don’t blame their team; they do not have much action when you play it slow. I felt sorry for the supporter who comes to support the team and see the game. I didn’t say it was the strategy. You can play any way you want. Sometimes I feel better if the match can be played the usual way. We are used to this. We win every time we face this match and do not let them have a goal; we are delighted.”
“We have too many quality players. Although Endrick was injured, many players can play the roles. Afiq did a good job playing today. Afiq had a fantastic game.”
“Fernando Forestieri is a crucial player in our team. You can see how many goals and assists he has. He is a player who doesn’t play for himself but he played for the team. If you know the game in detail, he is like a GPS with the most run. He also navigated the team to the right path.”
When the media asked him how Bergson performed today, he said, “I am satisfied with Bergson. He was the first striker. He is a striker who likes to connect to the team. The problem is that he left the spaces without nobody when he tried to join the group; when the cross was made, he wasn’t there. I am upset, but this is normal; this is football. He’s a great player. He’s giving us satisfaction and energy too. I am glad he’s there to help us to win every game.”
Esteban Solar also complimented the rival – Sri Pahang, as they are better now than last year. He said, “They have an excellent striker now. Some foreign players were playing well too.”
Asking about the strategy of playing against Penang FC in the Round of 16 Malaysia FA Cup, he added, “For Penang, it is the same. They have good strategies and fast players. In the end, it will be hard for us. We will have to give the best version of us to pass this round. I am very confident that my players are having a great run. We have a lot of players who didn’t get to play, and this is the time for them to prove that they are also essential to the team.”
“We are prepared for everything, of course. We have different ways and strategies to face teams to sit back and defend deep down. Our players know it very well as they participated in loads of tactical also to improve themselves and be a better players. We have strategies to break the line. But again, we cannot focus on the offensive only, but defensive is essential too.”
Johor Darul Ta’zim will face Penang FC on 28th May 2023 in the Round of 16 Malaysia FA Cup at Stadium Sultan Ibrahim Johor.
