Reason to rejoice: JDT’s Bergson Da Silva (left) celebrates with Heberty Fernandes after scoring against Perak in the 5-0 Super League win on Sunday. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Sealing a 10th straight Super League title appears a foregone conclusion for Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).
After demolishing Perak 5-0 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Sunday for their 20th straight victory, the Southern Tigers just need another win and hope that second-placed Selangor drop points in their next two games to be crowned champions again.
Such is JDT’s dominance that many fans can even bet on them keeping their 100% record till the end - finishing the season with 26 wins, a first for any club in Malaysia or even Asia.
Going by the way coach Esteban Solari is still pushing his charges to set new records, JDT, who have now scored a staggering 79 goals and conceded only four, are much fancied to accomplish that feat.
“Before the Perak game, I told my boys to treat it like a second final. The first final was against Sabah, which we won 5-1, and now we’ve beaten Perak 5-0. Now our next match, which is against Kedah on Aug 26, will be like a third final,’’ said Solari.
‘’We’re close to achieving our target, which is a 10th straight Super League title. It’s not easy to score five goals in a game. Mentally, we are always strong and resolute. We also respect our opponents and never underestimate them.’
‘’Our football is always offensive and when we lose the ball, we press aggressively to get it back.’’
Against Perak, JDT were simply too strong despite missing the likes of Brazilian striker Diogo Santo, Argentinian midfielder Leandro Velasquez and Argentinian striker Fernando Forestieri.
All the hosts’ five goals were scored by different players – Brazilian attacker Heberty Fernandes (21st minute), rightback Matthew Davies (27th), Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva (35th), Spanish-Filipino leftback Oscar Arribas (55th) and Spanish playmaker Juan Muniz (66th).
JDT also had 25 shots at goal, while Perak could only muster two.
Since joining JDT in July, Fernandes has impressed by scoring three goals in just two Super League matches, easing the team’s worries over not having top striker Forestieri, who is down with a knee injury.
The 33-year-old Forestieri, is the Super League’s leading scorer with 17 goals.
Solari is happy with Fernandes’ contribution so far.
“You can see his quality. He is a top-class professional who not only scores goals, but he makes those around him play better.’’
