THE away-goal ruling could lead to Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) downfall in the Malaysia Cup after the Super League champions managed only a 2-1 win over Selangor in the semi-final first leg at Larkin Stadium in Johor Baru on Saturday.
The return leg on Saturday at Shah Alam Stadium is set to be an explosive affair with Selangor coach B. Satiananthan already urging Red Giants fans to pack the 80,000-capacity venue to roar on the 33-time champions and to rattle the star-studded JDT.
Syafiq Ahmad (14th minute) and Leandro Velazquez (48th) netted for JDT, who won the Cup in 2017, while Ifedayo Olusegun scored for the visitors in the 16th minute.
Satiananthan said the first leg result promises hope and also offers confidence to his team ahead of the return fixture.
The former national coach was also pleased with the defensive discipline displayed by his players with captain Taylor Regan putting in a standout performance in defence.
Satiananthan had to adjust his plans at the last minute when midfielder Endrick dos Santos pulled out injured and forced to call upon a returning Sandro Mendonca.
“The 2-1 result has made things very interesting. We have an away goal, and I hope we will produce something special in Shah Alam. I urge our fans to pack the stadium and support the Red Giants.
“JDT, however, have quality and I don’t think it matters to them whether they are playing at home or away. We will only be able to produce something if we play our ‘A’ game in the return leg.
“We got to be careful in Shah Alam. JDT are a well-oiled scoring machine while we are a team who tend to concede a lot of goals,” said Satiananthan, who led Kelantan to their first Malaysia Cup crown in 2010.
On Saturday’s result, the coach said: “In the first half, we were disorganised. Whenever we got the ball, we lost it quickly.
“There were chances for JDT, but we also had ours. Congratulations to JDT who I have always said are a good team.
“Our players grew in confidence as the game progressed and subsequently, denied them the space to operate.
“Dos Santos complained of pain before the game. So we decided to play Mendonca who did well, despite not playing for over two months.
“Olusegun had a great game. He worked hard and was strong on the ball throughout the game. He was also unlucky not to score a second goal.
“I liked what I saw in him and hope he will continue his momentum,” he added.
JDT coach Benjamin Mora claimed that his players were tired and this factor affected their performance.
Some JDT players were probably still feeling tired after playing two tough international matches for the national team during the international window.
“It was a difficult game. We played against a team who are very comfortable on the ball and like holding possession for long periods.
“Other teams here do not play this style, so it made things difficult for us.
“The good thing is we won by one goal. However, it is still a very open game. We will try to go to Shah Alam and do a good job.
“I think it’s going to be tougher in the return leg. Both teams want to play in the final and win the Cup.
“Selangor will definitely try to fight back in the second game.
“We will be prepared and go in feeling confident as we have a good record in Shah Alam. And when we play away, we normally score goals,” said Mora.
JDT, however, could feel the pressure going into the return leg as they do not have a polished record in Cup competitions in the M-League.
Although JDT have won six straight Super League crowns, they have only notched one title each in the FA Cup (2016) and Malaysia Cup (2017), bar the Charity Shield, since the transformation of the club in 2013 under Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
However, JDT are still the overwhelming favourites to beat Selangor and reach the final.