Juan Antonio Miguel Garcia, head coach of Johor Darul Ta’zim Futsal has acknowledged Selangor’s impressive form heading into the Malaysia Futsal Cup final this Sunday, stating that the Red Giants’ recent performances pose a significant challenge for his team.
JDT cruised into their second consecutive final after dominating KL City in the semi-finals, securing an emphatic 9-2 aggregate victory last week. Meanwhile, Selangor fought hard to overcome defending champions Pahang Rangers in a fiercely contested semi-final, earning their spot in the final showdown.
Speaking to the media, Miguel Garcia made it clear that JDT’s focus is always on winning when it comes to major finals, but he expressed deep respect for Selangor’s recent form.
“We are very happy to qualify for the final this time, as I said before, the final is not to play but to win,” Miguel said in an interview with Harimau Malaya. “I am confident in the ability of my squad for this action, but we respect Selangor, who have shown excellent performance in the second round of the league and are a formidable opponent.”
While JDT are riding high after securing the Malaysian Premier Futsal League title, Miguel was quick to point out that Selangor’s form this season cannot be underestimated.
“For tomorrow’s action (Sunday), yes JDT came with the best momentum, but I think Selangor are in better form this season,” Miguel added. “They are a good team with great local players such as the goalkeeper Syawal Sabaruddin, number 10 Syed Aizad, and number 24 Syahir Iqbal.”
Selangor’s journey to the final, marked by gritty performances and key contributions from standout players, has proven they are a force to be reckoned with. The Red Giants have been on a remarkable run, and their strong defense, led by goalkeeper Syawal, and attacking prowess through players like Syed Aizad and Syahir Iqbal, have made them one of the top contenders for this year’s cup.
With the final set to take place at Axiata Arena on 6 October, fans can expect an intense and closely fought match between two of the most in-form teams in Malaysian futsal. The clash between JDT’s dominance and Selangor’s resurgence promises high stakes, with kick-off scheduled for 5:30 pm.
Credit Photo : JDT Futsal
