KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) captain Natxo Insa has highlighted the importance of respecting opponents as his side prepares for the 2024/2025 Malaysia Cup final against Sri Pahang FC at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here, tomorrow night.
Reflecting on the unpredictability of cup finals, the 2021 Malaysia Cup final where Kuala Lumpur City FC shocked JDT with a 2-0 victory, Natxo stressed that respect for all rivals is central to JDT’s approach.
“I think the biggest skill or the big quality we have is we respect everyone. It doesn't matter the game, the competition, we know we must perform always. So having this discipline, this conduct and habit I think allows us to be always focused on every match, more in the finals.
“So, I think that makes a difference between us and the rest, to be always focused. It doesn't matter the game, the opponent, local (players), champions (clubs), we always face this mentality.so I think that allows us to face or approach the game in the correct way,” he told a pre-match press conference here, today.
The 38-year-old midfielder said that when asked despite JDT's consistent dominance, the 2021 final proved that anything could happen in a one-off game and was asked how he ensures his teammates approach this final with full respect for both the occasion and their opponents.
Natxo has won four Malaysia Cup titles with JDT since 2017 including back-to-back triumphs in 2022 and 2023.
The last time JDT and Sri Pahang met in the Malaysia Cup final was in the 2014 season, where the Tok Gajah squad emerged victorious 5-3 in a penalty shootout after the match ended 2-2 here.
In this season’s Super League campaign, JDT defeated Sri Pahang 3-0 and 3-1 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, respectively.
JDT also are on a mission to create history by becoming the first team to win the ‘triple-treble’ after being crowned FA Cup champions and securing the Super League title this season.
-- BERNAMA
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