Hector Bidoglio, head coach of Johor Darul Ta’Zim expressed relief after his team narrowly defeated Terengganu FC 1-0 in a tightly contested Liga Super Malaysia 2024/25 clash at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, Gong Badak.
The match saw the Southern Tigers struggle against a resilient Terengganu squad, but an early goal from former Spain U-19 international Juan Muniz in the 12th minute proved to be the decider. Despite the slim margin, Bidoglio was satisfied with the three points, especially in a challenging away game.
Speaking after the match, Bidoglio praised Terengganu’s high level of discipline and strong defensive organization, which made it difficult for his side to break through.
“The hosts showed a different performance compared to the first semi-final match of the Malaysia Cup two weeks ago. We had a hard time penetrating the opponent’s defense with the high discipline displayed by the squad, but the goal gave us the confidence to continue our winning streak,” said the Argentine coach.
The result marked JDT’s fourth victory over Terengganu this season, adding to their earlier triumphs in league and cup competitions.
Looking ahead to the second leg of the Malaysia Cup semi-final on February 1, Bidoglio remains cautious despite JDT’s commanding 4-0 aggregate lead from the first leg.
“In football, various possibilities can happen, so I always tell the players to always perform their best because the opponent will definitely come back and perform differently,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and consistency, acknowledging that Terengganu will be motivated to overturn the deficit.
“The match will still be difficult even though we have a four-goal advantage. We must not let our guard down,” Bidoglio concluded.
With this latest victory, JDT continues to assert their dominance in Malaysian football. The Southern Tigers, known for their relentless attacking style and tactical discipline, are inching closer to yet another Liga Super title while remaining strong contenders for the Malaysia Cup.
Credit Photo : JST
