Round 5: SFC vs. JDT

It was Round 5 of Liga Super Malaysia for the 2023 season. The biggest game of the week was played in Stadium Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya between Selangor FC (SFC) and Johor Darul Takzim (JDT). As it was a top-of-the-table clash, both sets of fans were excited. It was reflected in the attendance, with 14,462 showing up for the game and millions watching from home via Astro .?

Fearing Friday’s traffic, the biggest game of the season and the stadium's location, I took the liberty to take public transport via MRT and LRT to reach the stadium. Getting to the Stadium from Mutiara Damansara took me one hour and thirty minutes. This will be my primary mode of transport for Tier 1 games in the future.?

For me, this game would be an assessment of the current Selangor FC squad because the last time both teams played against one another was in the final of the Malaysian Cup. The score ended 2-1, with JTD victorious.?

This match ended 0-4, with JDT winning. They showed that their class was above the rest by playing the kind of football expected of a champion. JDT will win the league again due to their depth, style of play and the swag they are carrying going into the game. I cannot foresee any team beating them this year, and JDT could even finish the season undefeated. They have only conceded one (1) goal so far.

For SFC, it is back to the drawing board if the team would like to finish second because, at the moment, that is the only spot that the rest of the teams are fighting for.?

Below are some talking points from the game: ?

THE FORMATION: 4-3-3?

Is this the best formation for SFC? Do we have the necessary players to play this formation? Are SFC players fit enough to play this formation the entire season? Based on my observations, we lack the players needed for this formation against JDT. JDT came prepared and had all the answers to SFC questions. I was hoping for Tan Cheng Hoe (TCH) to test 4-5-1. Pack the midfield and play on the counter with MOHAMAD FAISAL ABDUL HALIM playing the CF position with solid support from the Right and Left Wings.?

PREPARATION FOR THE GAME?

Round 4 ended on Sunday for SFC. The players have four days to prepare for Friday’s game. But over 90 minutes, TCH and the squad did not have an answer for JDT’s high-pressing game. The team had four (4) days to prepare? Do not tell me that TCH cannot figure out a game plan leading up to the match? The players were too afraid to hold the ball and could not answer the pressing. JDT played like a team possessed, and pressing did not stop even after going four up. JDT played like a team chasing a game. For SFC, any possession ends with the players passing the ball back to MOHD KHAIRULAZHAN MOHD KHALID. So he could pump the ball forward, hoping that AYRON DEL VALLE RODRIGUEZ could hold the ball and bring others to play. This does not happen, as Valle cannot win a header or hold up the ball long enough for others to support him. This leads me to the next talking point…

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SELANGOR IMPORTS ARE A SCAM!

Seriously, who hired these foreigners? They are not a difference maker at all. Compared to the JDT imports, it is like night and day. You can sense the fans' frustration with the imports' quality. They should be the difference maker, but again, the local players are carrying the team this year!? If you check social media, there is a highlight clip of Del Valle doing meaningless step over whilst in possession. It has become the butt of jokes among Malaysian football fans. The management should take the blame for this. Was there scouting done? What led to the acquisition of these players? Did TCH have a say in their signings? The management should be accountable for this signing. Based on a small sample size of games, I would proclaim that Del Valle and YOHANDRY JOSE OROZCO CUJIA are not up to the standards of SFC. Once again, the management team managed to scam their fans again with the signing. Even based on a basic eye test, they did not pass it. Only YAZAN MOUSA MAHMOUD ALARAB (minus his temper towards the referee and risking a red card for this game) and NOOR AL-DEEN MAHMOUD ALI AL RAWABDEH are up to the standards!

ARIF AIMAN MOHD HANAPI IS A STUD!?

If JDT is playing against your team, I highly recommend you watch it live only to see Arif Aiman. For a 20-year-old, he is a stud player with a very high ceiling. I am not even afraid to say this, but he is a generational talent, and I hope he tries to test himself by playing in the J-League or the K-League. Even the Bundesliga or the Eredivisie is not out of reach if he continues to add to his game. Since breaking into the first, Arif Aiman has added to his game every season. Credits to the TMJ, the coaches and the club for nurturing such a talent for us to witness! To steal a Nike campaign for LeBron James, WE ARE WITNESSES!?

Keeping Arif Aiman in the country is good for his development. It keeps him grounded and close to the family. The Asian League or Europe could be possible when he is 23 or 24. That would be the right age for Arif Aiman to test himself because he would be more mature and have the mindset to succeed away from home. Hoping that this materializes and could open doors for future players.?

IN CONCLUSION

Hoping for a bounce-back game against Kuala Lumpur City FC on 31st March 2023. It will be a local derby, and KL City FC has been a tough opponent for SFC the last couple of seasons. Hoping for a better improvement in performance and spirit to win the three points.?

See all of you at? Stadium Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya on 4th April for a game against Negeri Sembilan FC. It will be a night game due to Ramadan. Kick-off at 10PM, and I expect to see all of you at the stadium!

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