Coach Mario plays down expectations on JDT against Sarawak
- K. Rajan
- Jul 20, 2016
- 2 min read
PETALING JAYA: It’s tough when you are on top. Everyone is gunning for your scalp.
That’s why Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) coach Mario Gomez is not about to start talking up his team’s chances when they resume their Super League title defence against Sarawak at the State Stadium on Friday.
JDT will start as overwhelming favourites based on the quality of their squad and the fact that they’ve beaten Sarawak 5-3 in the first half of the league at the Larkin Stadium on April 20.
Gomez’s men are unbeaten in the Super League and top the 12-team standings with 33 points after 13 matches. Sarawak are ninth with 12 points.
But the wily 59-year-old coach prefers to play down expectations, saying his team must be prepared for any eventualities, especially in away matches.
“When you are at the top, everyone wants to beat you ... they will be ready to pounce on our slightest mistakes, so we need to be careful,” said Gomez on Thursday.
“We face a gruelling round of fixtures to defend our top spot in the league and the players must follow our tactical plans ... starting with this match against Sarawak.
“I have reminded my players to be wary of the threat posed by Sarawak’s attacking duo of Ndumba Makeche and Gilmar Filho. Their midfielder Junior is also another player we must keep an eye on.”
The Southern Tigers will welcome back Jorge Diaz, Juan Lucero and Marcos Antonio, who were rested in their 2-1 loss to Police in a Malaysia Cup match last Tuesday.
JDT, however, will be without Singapore international Harris Harun, who has to sit out a match after being suspended for having collected three yellow cards. His place will be filled by Amirulhadi Zainal.
“Hariss is suspended, but it’s not a big loss ... we have a few players returning to the starting line-up, including leftback Muhd Fazly Mazlan.,” said Gomez.
Source: The Star Online