PETALING JAYA: In a Super League season totally dominated by Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), Selangor’s Colombian striker Ayron Del Valle (pic) has proven to be a standout.
With three matches left in the season, the 34-year-old is the leading scorer with 21 goals from 23 games, two ahead of JDT’s Argentine hitman Fernando Forestieri (19 goals from 18 games).
Another JDT player, Brazilian Bergson Da Silva is third with 17 goals from 19 matches.Del Valle is fancied to win the Golden Boot, and he hopes to plunder more goals in his mission to help the Red Giants finish second and qualify for the AFC Cup.
Selangor remain second in the league with 52 points from 23 games, but they face a tough fight from Kedah, who are two points behind in third spot, for a place in the prestigious competition.
Del Valle is thrilled to be leading the scorers’ chart in his first season in the Malaysian League but he has a bigger goal to meet – to get Selangor into the AFC Cup.
“Being the leading scorer in my first year here is amazing ... and I hope I go on to win the Golden Boot. But my mission won’t be complete if I don’t help my team reach the AFC Cup,’’ he said.
‘’Kedah are also hungry for that spot, so we have our work cut out.’’
Selangor will face off with Kedah in their penultimate Super League match on Dec 2 at the Darul Aman Stadium.
The Red Giants’ other two games will be at home against Perak (Nov 25) and Police (Dec 17).
Del Valle said the team remain mentally and physically strong to end the season on a high.
“I’m confident we can get the results to meet our goal. Besides, we also owe it to our fans who have lifted us with their passionate support.’’
