KUALA LUMPUR: It has always been the ambition of Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to take his club to the highest level of Asian football when he took over the team and rebranded them as Johor Darul Ta’zim back in 2013.
Six years later, JDT have become five-time champions of the Super League and are the first Malaysian team to qualify for the AFC Champions League (ACL) group stage.
The rise of the Southern Tigers is nothing short of remarkable and on Wednesday, JDT did something which they can be really proud of - defeating Japan’s ACL champions Kashima Antlers 1-0 in a group match.
The Larkin Stadium has witnessed plenty of memorable matches but none will come close to matching the first ever win by a Malaysian team in the ACL
Syafiq Ahmad’s strike in the 69th minute was enough to secure JDT’s first three points in the competition and with it, gave the team a fighting chance to reach the round of 16.
“We talked about the importance of making history, to be the first Malaysian team to win a game, and that coming against champions, Kashima,” said JDT coach Benjamin Mora.
“Japanese football is top of Asia, they play so good and have very good players. But I told the boys that they didn't have anything to lose, only win.
“This is a reminder that things are possible, just like Liverpool did (against Barcelona). Football is the best sport in the world and these things can happen.
“Maybe tomorrow we’ll think about Pahang but for now we're going to enjoy (the win).”
JDT have acquitted themselves well to Asia’s elite club competition, right from their very first match at Kashima Soccer Stadium on March 5.
Kashima, Shandong Luneng and Gyeongnam FC have all been given a hard time by the Malaysian club.
Mora deployed his usual starting 11 to face Kashima after previously sending out an “alternative XI” against Shandong (JDT lost) due to an upcoming crunch Super League match against Pahang.
Despite the absence of the suspended Diogo Luis Santo, JDT still had the lion’s share of the game against the Japanese.
Veteran Aidil Zafuan showed that he can still be depended upon in defence when his body is willing, Hariss Harun was a force to be reckoned with in central midfield while striker Syafiq was punchy.
Former national Under-23 international Syafiq was appreciative of the opportunity given to him.
He hopes that this is only the start of more chances to show that there is a place for a local striker even in a side like JDT.
“When people talk about striker, they always imagine an import player,” said Syafiq.
“But when they (the foreign strikers) are not aorund, this is the time for me to show what I can do for the team.”
JDT’s win over Kashima has put them in the mood to battle Gyeongnam away in their final group match later this month.