ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) head coach Hector Bidoglio wants his team to maintain their winning momentum in the Malaysia Cup title defence. He expressed satisfaction with his players’ performance in their 3-0 win over Kuala Lumpur Rovers (KL Rovers) in the round of 16 last night, describing it as a challenging game.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bidoglio said, ‘It was a difficult match because when the opponents played very low and defended with nine players all the time, it’s hard to find space and connect with the forwards.’ He noted that his players made a commendable effort to give their best, moving the ball strategically to penetrate the defensive line. Bidoglio further emphasized the importance of avoiding mistakes and maintaining focus in every match.

He stressed the need for JDT to focus on multiple competitions, including the AFC Champions League Elite and the Malaysia Cup. ‘Every match is difficult for us and we need to play seriously, improve and keep growing,’ he remarked.

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anwhile, KL Rovers head coach Wan Mustaffa Wan Ismail expressed optimism for the return leg against JDT. Despite the defeat, he noted his team’s ability to create scoring chances and challenge the Southern Tigers. He praised his players for adhering to the game plan, focusing on holding the midfield and launching counter-attacks, while maintaining a strong defense until the end.

Wan Mustaffa expressed confidence in his team’s potential to bounce back with a different strategy in the return match, which is scheduled to take place at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Nov 30. Notably, last night’s match location was shifted from the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras to the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium at KL Rovers’ request.