Ripped apart: Negri Sembilan’s Anselmo Arruda Da Silva heading the ball during the Super League match against JDT who won 7-0. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are known as the Southern Tigers and Negri Sembilan are the Deer.
The names could not have been more apt.
The southern side tore their opponents to shreds at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on Monday with a 7-0 mauling that left Negri coach K. Devan lamenting that his side was at least 10 years behind the Johor team.
JDT, coached by Argentinian Esteban Solari, were relentless in their hunt for their 10th straight Super League title, taking the lead through Fernando Forestieri in the 21st minute.
Diogo Santo (41st) doubled the lead before Forestieri got his brace in the 48th. Arif Aiman Hanapi made it 4-0 in the 52nd before left wingback La’Vere Corbin Ong added two more in the 67th and 88th minutes.
Midfielder Endrick dos Santos then drove the dagger in deeper in the 72nd minute for JDT’s third win in as many matches this season.
They now top the table with nine points and a better goal difference from Sabah.
Solari called it an amazing result that signals JDT’s continued improvement in the league this season.
“The attitude from the first minute was great, the players took it very seriously because they faced a side known for their defensive strength. For me, it was a good result, and everything they did, especially the movement and passes, just worked,” he said.
“The first half was tough because they were strong defensively but we were patient and made sure to be diligent with our game style.
“We are getting better with every game. The idea we have is in motion now.”
The victory did come with a price as midfielder Leandro Velasquez had to be stretchered out with a suspected knee injury in the 35th minute.
“Leandro has a cut on the knee, but I hope he won’t be out too long. He is important to us. Bergson (da Silva) is out, too, but I hope he returns for the next game against Kelantan (on March 11). But the replacements did a great job.
“We have a tough game (against Kelantan) but will focus on our football. We want to believe in our quality,” said Solari.
Devan, meanwhile, said his team had lost to the best side in the country.
“We know we lost to the best team in the country. The quality between both sides is vast. We saw the gap today. We just formed the team in the last two to three years. We are in the process of building a strong squad,” he said.
“JDT are nine times champions and playing in the Asian Champions League. The quality they have, the players they have, it’s just immense. We need another 10 years to close the gap and compete with them.
“We planned to get a point but there are many other games, so we will look to bounce back.”
The Deer will get a chance to spring back when they face Kuala Lumpur next at the Cheras Football Stadium on March 11.
