Hector Bidoglio, head coach of Johor Darul Ta’Zim expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting that the players’ intensity and commitment on the field showed no signs of decline, despite the five-hour flight from Shanghai to Johor Bahru ahead of their dominant 6-1 victory over Kelantan Darul Naim in the Liga Super Malaysia 2024/25 last Sunday.
JDT, fresh off their AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) duties in China, returned to league action with a commanding performance at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri. Despite concerns over potential fatigue, the Southern Tigers played with relentless energy and decisiveness, overpowering KDN FC in a display of their attacking prowess.
The match saw Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva deliver a standout performance, scoring a hat-trick, while Arif Aiman Hanapi added two goals of his own. KDN’s misfortune was compounded when defender Umeir Aznan accidentally scored an own goal, sealing JDT’s emphatic win.
Bidoglio, speaking after the match, dismissed any notion that fatigue had affected his squad’s performance.
“I saw no impact on the quality of our game, even though we faced some difficulty breaking through initially, with the opposing team sitting deep in their own half,” he said.
“The players remained committed to their roles, and their persistence paid off as we broke their defense and doubled our score in quick succession before the halftime break.”
Bidoglio lauded his team’s collective effort and their ability to maintain focus despite the demanding travel schedule. “Our intensity on the field was outstanding. Even after a long flight, the players displayed exceptional commitment and worked hard to deliver the result. This shows the depth of our squad and the professionalism of our players,” he added.
JDT’s victory keeps them at the top of the Liga Super table, continuing their dominant run in the 2024/25 season. The Southern Tigers remain focused on both domestic and continental campaigns, with Bidoglio emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum as they prepare for their next challenges.
Credit Photo : Jayden Seah/SNE-Photo
