It’s fascinating how tables have turned for Johor DT is such a short space of time. Last year around this time, making it to the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup was already deemed as a success for JDT. 12 months later, they’re expected to march into the semi-finals – anything lesser than that would be a failure.
As unfair as these expectations may be, it’s the sort of price you pay for success. Tunku Ismail has spent a large chunk of the last few months, assuring his club’s fans to remain grounded and realistic, despite their monumental rise. But even he would gladly accept the pressure that’s placed on JDT these days – nothing validates your effort more than pressure that stems from recognition.
Like it or not, the pressure will be present all over the pitch, when they host South China in Johor Bahru, tomorrow. The first leg was unsatisfactory by JDT’s standards. They controlled the tempo of the game in the first half, and snatched a crucial away goal, courtesy of Jorge Diaz’s predatory finish. But after the break, the story took a wild turn
South China clawed their way back into the game, and began launching waves of attack on JDT’s goal. Izham, who had very little to do in the first half, was considerably busier in the second half. Mario Gomez’s side held on for their lives and were so close to snatching the win. Unfortunately, Komacez popped a late equaliser to leave the defending champions completely frustrated, besides breathing life back into the tie.
Mario Gomez though, will be eager to see his squad bounce back this week. They were not involved in the Malaysia Cup over the weekend, which means they’ve had one whole week to rest, recuperate and restrategize. Amri Yahya is being tipped for a return to the starting eleven, though the trio of Safiq Rahim, Jorge Diaz and Juan Martin Lucero, will once again be JDT’s fulcrum in attack.
The Argentinean coach would also be keen to ensure his back-four abstains from making any mistakes. South China have got pacey players in Komazec and Mahama Awal, who was a constant menace down the flank, in the first leg. Fazly Mazlan did reasonably well in dealing with him last week, but there several instances where Awal easily got the better of Fazly. If anything, JDT can’t afford to let that happen on Tuesday night.
That said, JDT have the unofficial ‘advantage’. Jose Ricardo Rambo is probably already aware of the Southern Tigers’ winning percentage on home soil – they’ve only lost twice at home, in the last three years. Better still, JDT have scored a total 21 goals in four AFC Cup home matches this year, conceding only three goals in the process.
Should they win, JDT will become the first Malaysian and Southeast Asian side to make it into the AFC Cup semi-finals in two consecutive years. And it will put them just one step away from earning a shot at defending their AFC Cup crown, in the final. Ladies and gentlemen, the pressure is definitely on.
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