The City Boys renew our rivalries with champions Johor DT when they visit us on Wednesday in Match Day 3 of the Super League, the second meeting between the two sides since our Malaysia Cup victory last November, where remain on the lookout for our first win, while our opponents will be on the road for the first time this season.
What is there to say about Johor DT? Since the takeover by their royal house in 2013, the southerners have swept all aside in the domestic game, winning the league for eight consecutive seasons from 2014. Though, their record in cup competitions do not match their successes in the league, that too remains the MEASURED envy of many, winning the FA Cup 2016 and the Malaysia Cup in 2017 & 2019. In between all that, or rather at the start, throw in their AFC Cup success in 2015. Let us not even get started with what they have done off the pitch, the facilities and what not with the riches they posses. Too much praise? Stung badly by their loss to us in the 100th Malaysia Cup final, they brought in former Italy youth international striker Fernando Forestieri, Filipino forward Bienvenido Maranon, Malian midfielder Moussa Sidibe and fullback Syahmi Safari from Selangor, while retaining the bulk of their title winning squad. Mexican Benjamin Mora is into his fifth year in charge, so they say. They began their campaign on a frustrated note with just a solitary goal win against Penang. Bergson da Silva rescuing them from a potential embarrassment, with the only strike of the game 20 minutes from time, and it was back to regular business when they thrashed Sarawak U 6-0 in the second game. If that was bad, try 10-0! That was what M3 side (3rd division) BRM went through in their nightmarish FA Cup first round. The precursor to all this was Johor DT’s high stakes theme of vengeance prior to Episode 2 of our dates, the Charity Cup fixture, where we lost 3-0 in a below par performance where we were not entirely ready following a spate of Covid-19 cases and injuries that affected our preparations. 20 goals without conceding in 360 minutes of football. Some stats they have there. However, the real test of their mettle is during this Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, where they would be involved in 8 matches beginning with this. Six of those, happen from mid April in the group stages of the Asian Champions League they would be hosting, playing every three days or so. Perhaps, even with the depth they have, this could force them to rotate their squad, allowing their bigger names a chance to remain fresh for the more important matches, and reduce their involvement in the Super League.
The City Boys enjoyed a goalfest the last time out at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium, during the 8-0 FA Cup first round rout of Langkawi C. That win and the way we went about it, was a much needed shot in the arm, after the loss in the Charity Cup, being held at home by Selangor 3-3 on the opening day of the league, and losing 3-2 at Kedah DA soon after. With no disrespect to Langkawi C, who play in the third level (amateur) of Malaysian football, head coach Bojan will not be reading too much into that result, sans the goals scored. His primary concern will be our leaky defence, the bastion of last season’s achievements, that has conceded 3 goals per match to Super League opposition. As mentioned above, Covid-19 and injuries affected our pre-season that expectedly led to the reverse in the Charity Cup, against Selangor it was a case a poor refereeing, a red card, penalties and a defensive error, while at Kedah DA our backline was caught napping for the second goal, and did not track the runs of their forwards into the box for the opening and third goal. The recent international break gave us a bit of time to address these issues, a second pre-season of sorts, with the majority of the players free from any fitness concerns. We even arranged two closed door friendlies with Selangor at their training ground, which Romel played for 30 minutes each. What is certain is that at home, the City Boys can draw strength from our unbeaten record of 23 matches, going back to 2019, and that is by no means a small feat. What would Episode 3 hold in store for us?
Wednesday’s meeting is only the 9th time the Red & White go up against Johor DT since the latter came under the clutches of Bukit Serene. Apart from the Malaysia Cup final victory, we have only beaten them once before, in a 1-0 win at home in the league, Paulo netting the winner. Five matches ended with losses and in 2021 it was a 1-1 draw in the city, Romel’s opener late into stoppage time of the first period, cancelled out by Harris Harun 10 minutes into the second half.
Izreen remains the only player injured in the City Boys’ roster, while Zhafri is a doubt after returning from the national team’s assignment with a problem.
Tickets for the Super League match against Johor DT are available at the following link, tickethotline.com.my/…s/1/Liga Super 2022
For Season Ticket Holders (B2 City Boys), enjoy 20% off regular ticket prices for your friends and/or family. (Limited to a maximum of 4 tickets per transaction. Contact Shamim for details)