JDT eye fifth straight final as FA Cup semis reach climax
KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim are closing in on a fifth consecutive FA Cup final appearance, with the prospect of playing for the trophy on home turf adding further incentive as the semi-final second legs take place on Sunday.
Johor Darul Ta zim are closing in on securing their fifth consecutive FA Cup final appearance, with the prospect of playing at home providing added motivation ahead of the semi-final second legs. The defending champions lead the aggregate score 2-0 over Brunei DPMM in their return leg at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. Meanwhile, Selangor travel to Kuching with a 2-1 advantage over Kuching City after the first leg at the MBPJ Stadium.
JDT's head coach Xisco Munoz has cautioned his players against becoming complacent, emphasizing that a two-goal lead is not enough to guarantee success. He stressed that the team must enter the second leg on the offensive, attacking to score more goals in front of their home supporters. DPMM's coach Jamie McAllister, however, remains optimistic about his side's chances, believing that an early goal could significantly alter the contest.
He stressed the importance of scoring the first goal, stating that if they manage to do so, their chances of turning the tie around would become much better.
The stakes are particularly high for JDT, as a victory over DPMM would put them within reach of lifting the trophy at their own stadium due to ongoing upgrades at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. In the other semi-final, Selangor face a challenging trip to Petra Jaya to take on Kuching City, a team buoyed by a recent continental victory in the Asian Champions League Two (ACL2).
Head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak urged his players to shift their focus back to domestic matters and not become complacent, despite their recent continental success.
Injuries have further complicated Selangor's preparations, with Brazilian defender Gabriel Peres expected to miss two months due to knee surgery and striker Ronald Ngah Wanja also sidelined through injury. Head coach Kim Pan Gon acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, emphasizing that the team must show determination to navigate the multiple crucial competitions they are involved in.
Despite the challenges, Pan Gon remains confident in his team's ability to reach the final, highlighting their fighting spirit and determination.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
