Johor Darul Ta’zim head coach Xisco Muñoz has emphasized the importance of a cautious and disciplined approach ahead of his side’s Liga Super Malaysia 2025/26 season opener against arch-rivals Selangor FC. The match, which also serves as the Piala Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah 2025/26, will take place at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Friday night.
Speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference, the Spanish tactician — who took over from Hector Bidoglio — acknowledged the difficulty of the opening fixture, despite JDT’s impressive preseason campaign in Spain.
“We had a fantastic preseason and improved our style of play significantly. I’ve already identified my starting eleven for the match against Selangor, although selecting the lineup hasn’t been easy because all 33 players in the squad have top-quality,” said Muñoz.
“Every player is ready for the first team. I consider myself fortunate to have such depth — a true advantage for JDT.”
Muñoz admitted that the first match of any season can be unpredictable, and highlighted the need for his players to manage their emotions and stay composed under pressure.
“It’s normal if things aren’t fully stable in the first game. That’s why all week, we’ve been discussing the importance of this match — not only to start strong in the league but also to defend the Sultan Ahmad Shah Cup for an unprecedented eighth consecutive time.”
JDT’s arsenal has been further reinforced by new arrivals, including heritage and international players like Jon Irazabal, Nacho Mendez, Joao Figueiredo, and Hector Hevel, providing Muñoz with added tactical flexibility.
He also confirmed that his technical team has closely studied Selangor FC, led by Katsuhito Kinoshi, and are well-prepared to face them with a distinct tactical setup, although he declined to reveal the specific formation or strategy.
“We’ve analyzed Selangor thoroughly. I’m planning to use a different approach for this match, but I’ll keep our formation under wraps for now.”
Credit Photo : Jayden Seah/SNE-Photo
