Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Johor Bahru: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) skipper Safiq Rahim is confident of winning the AFC Cup when they meet Tajikistan's FC Istiklol in the final in Dushanbe on October 31, 2015.
JDT and Istiklol automatically advanced to the final of the continental competition after Kuwaiti clubs Qadsia SC and Kuwait SC were disqualified following FIFA’s suspension of the Kuwait Football Association for government interference.
Qadsia and Kuwait defeated JDT and Istiklol 3-1 and 4-0 respectively in the first leg of the AFC Cup semi-finals with the return fixtures slated to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, games that will, however, no longer go ahead after the AFC announced that both West Asian clubs were no longer eligible to compete in the AFC Cup semi-finals.
“We (JDT) cannot rest on our laurels because we will have to work extra hard to be 100 percent fit and ready,” Rahim (pictured, left) told Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama.
“I have full confidence in the team to bring back the AFC Cup. I have a sense of belief in me and my teammates during this important moment.”
“I believe the weather in Tajikistan will not be a problem since all the players are experienced and know how to prepare themselves physically and mentally.”
JDT had already made history by becoming the first Malaysian team to qualify for the AFC Cup semi-finals and went one step further by claiming a spot in the final but coach Mario Gomez has reminded his players, who are currently vying for Malaysia Cup honours, to remain focused ahead of their Istiklol game.
”We will take one match at a time,” Gomez said. “The AFC Cup final is certainly more important because it involves Malaysia’s best representatives in an international tournament, but we can’t afford to ignore the other matches.”
“If you ask me, I have very little information about our opponent (Istiklol). What I do know is that their players have a superior physical presence compared to the JDT players. We will analyse their game carefully.”
Photo: WSG