SEMIS WIN JUST THE RIGHT TONIC FOR SOUTHERN TIGERS AHEAD OF FA CUP FINAL - MUNOZ

ISKANDAR PUTERI, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Domestic serial winners Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) believe that last night's 2-0 semi-final, return-leg win over Kuching City FC is just the right tonic ahead of their FA Cup final against Sabah FC on Dec 14.

The Southern Tigers head coach, Xisco Munoz, lauded his team for a strong performance and character throughout the match against Kuching City at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri, creating numerous chances and maintaining control from start to finish.

He stressed that while the 4-1 aggregate victory was important, it was equally vital that they display the same level of commitment, character and intensity in the final against Sabah.

“One of the things the team can do moving forward is to close games efficiently and make the most of the chances created. When you have many chances, you must kill off the game,” he said at the post-match press conference at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium last night.

He also reflected on the absence of star player Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi due to injury and the club’s efforts to ensure his full recovery ahead of the FA Cup title showdown.

“I miss him 100 per cent. Arif is one of the best players in Asia. Losing a player of his quality is always difficult. We are working very hard to get him back to full fitness. The positive thing is that when he returns, he will come back stronger, and that is what matters the most,” he said.

As for their ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) match against Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC at the Morodok Techno National Stadium in Cambodia on Thursday (Dec 4), Munoz emphasised focus, intensity and upholding the club’s values.

Meanwhile, Kuching City FC head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak admitted that the match against JDT was a tough ask, acknowledging the champions as being stronger and more established.

“JDT are always a better team compared to us. We are a new club working to get better every year. And I think we have already created history by reaching the semi-finals, which is already a big moment for the club,” he said.

Aidil Sharin, while acknowledging the challenges his team faced with a limited squad and the absence of key players, praised his team for pushing JDT to the limit.

“It’s unfortunate that we faced a team like JDT in the semi-finals. But, at the end of the day, the boys gave their best and showed that they have the quality to play against a big team,” he added.

In yesterday's match, JDT scored through Bergson Da Silva (25th minute) and Eddy Israfilov (82nd minute).

In the other semi-final return-leg match, Sabah FC and 10-man Selangor FC had to go through a dramatic penalty shootout after they were tied 3-3 for the night and 5-5 on aggregate at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Stadium.

Sabah then created history by qualifying for the FA Cup final for the first time, prevailing 5-4 in the shootout.

-- BERNAMA