Good Use Of Space Earns JDT A Spot In The History Books
Since the change of format in the AFC Cup in 2009, no Malaysian team have managed to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.
However, Johor Darul Ta’zim surpassed that record with a convincing 3-1 win in the second leg tie against Hong Kong’s South China. Goal takes a look from the tactical viewpoint on how Mario Gomez and his men found success.
Mahali Jasuli and Leandro Velasquez were the wide attacking players in Gomez’s daring positive minded formation that also had Safee Sali added to the strikeforce. The first two goals were a direct result of Mahali and Velasquez coming in-field without their markers in Jack Sealy and Chak Ting Fung, respectively, following them. The space was also made available by the big gap left by the central midfielders of South China and their centre backs.
The home side in particular the central midfield duo of Chan Siu Kwan and Che Runqiu were contend to sit off their JDT counterparts and this granted Hariss Harun and Safiq Rahim the freedom to pick their passes. Comparatively, South China’s engine were stifled by the continuous pressing by Hariss and Safiq as soon as they cross the halfway line. This lead to Leung Chun Pong and Karpeh Boima seeing very little of the ball throughout the game.
Going a man down isn't ideal, especially when playing away in a knockout competition and not progress isn't confirmed yet. But to their credit, it is obvious that JDT worked on their defensive shape with lesser numbers as they were hardly caught out despit playing the entire second half without Luciano Figueroa. Marcos Antonio and Aidil Zafuan held a good line, ably helped by the smart positioning of Hariss. South China dominated the possession in the latter half but still couldn't find any gap in JDT’s defence.
Azraai Khor appointed new Sabah head coach
The experienced coach to be given rein in player signing as part of his one-year contract.
Borneo-based Premier League side, Sabah announced today on their website that they have appointed Azraai Khor as their new head coach. The 63-year-old, who has had experience coaching Kedah, Harimau Muda and Kelantan will lead the team for one year, according to the announcement.
He told through the website that part of the deal that will bring him to Kota Kinabalu is having the rein to select his players. "...it will be a challenge taking over at a new place, as I will have to 'rebuild' Sabah into a more formidable side that can compete for promotion to the Malaysian Super League (MSL)."
Sabah last played in the 2012 MSL season, before they were relegated. They have been trying since then to gain promotion back to the MSL.
Early in the 2015 season, they had shown their intent of doing so through the appointment of team CEO, Datuk Seri Panglima TC Goh who then brought in former Senegalese World Cup star El-Hadji Diouf along with an international coaching team.
However, their season was then scuttled even before it started. Several controversies involving the lack of coaching qualifications of a management staff member, a foreign signing who reneged on the deal, led the Rhinos to a mediocre 7th spot finish in the Premier League, not even qualifying for the Malaysia Cup. Diouf meanwhile was constantly seen at a venue of an MSL side during the team's matches.
The last team coached by Azraai was Kelantan, early this year, before parting ways with the East Coast side just three months into his contract, citing 'meddling invisible hands'.
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