Hector Bidoglio, Johor Darul Ta’Zim head coach has emphasized that Sri Pahang remains a formidable opponent despite facing key player absences ahead of the highly anticipated Unifi Piala Malaysia 2024/25 Final.
The final showdown, set to take place this Saturday at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, will see JDT enter as the defending champions, while Sri Pahang will be without two crucial players — Kpah Sherman, suspended due to yellow card accumulation, and Manuel Hidalgo, ineligible due to a loan agreement with JDT.
However, Bidoglio remains grounded and refuses to see those absences as an advantage.
“I’ve always said that a final is a completely different match. It’s never easy. We prefer to focus on ourselves rather than dwell on our opponent’s situation,” he stated during the pre-match press conference.
He praised Sri Pahang’s resilience and performance throughout the tournament, acknowledging that their path to the final proves their quality.
“For me, Sri Pahang is a strong and well-organized team. They’ve played very well to reach this stage,” Bidoglio added.
The Argentine coach also highlighted the importance of this match for his players, who have dedicated themselves throughout a long and intense season.
“This is a very important game for us. My players have worked incredibly hard all season, and now we’re ready to give our best.”
The Malaysia Cup Final between Johor Darul Ta’zim and Sri Pahang kicks off at 9:00 PM on Saturday, April 26, at the iconic Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Credit Photo : JST
