Graduating talents spur Johor to first Sukma football gold

Following a long pursuit, Johor claimed their inaugural Malaysia Games (Sukma) men's football gold at the MBPJ Stadium. This victory marked the end of a crucial chapter for the team's graduating talents. Captain Adib Ibrahim Adnan, 20, whose final Sukma campaign ended with a silverware win, urged his teammates to rally together in the dressing room, motivating them to help their peers who would not be able to play in Sukma any longer.

Adib's impassioned plea resonated with the team, who had been striving for this moment of history for Johor after years of disappointment.

The Southern Tigers, known for their relentless pursuit of championships, had set their sights on more than just winning a match. For them, victory meant being the champions. This mindset was instilled from the youth level, where players from under-12 teams to JDT I all shared a common objective: silverware. Spanish coach Pedro Collado Celda, while acknowledging the immense pressure on his young team, advised against premature expectations.

He emphasized that his players, especially Arif Aiman Hanapi, who he believes is Malaysia's best, needed to undergo a gradual transition from youth ranks to the senior league, emphasizing the importance of patience and daily training.

The final was an intense encounter, ending in a 1-1 draw after extra time. Johor clinched the title through Naim Zainudin's penalty kick in the shootout, overcoming a 20th-minute goal by Daniesh Amirruddin. The match saw bench brawls and injuries in extra time, underscoring the physicality of the contest. Despite the celebrations, Celda hinted that the team would not rest on their laurels, hinting at the upcoming President Cup in September, which would require the team to continue their patient, step-by-step development.