JDT coach Xisco Munoz remains confident despite missing key players through injury and suspension for the FA Cup final against Sabah FC
JOHOR DARUL TA’ZIM (JDT) are battling an injury and suspension crisis ahead of their FA Cup final showdown with Sabah FC.
Head coach Xisco Munoz remains confident his squad’s depth and identity will be enough to defend the trophy.
“We lost almost 50% of our important players, yet we kept going and won every single game,” he said at a pre-match press conference at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Munoz stressed the importance of every selected player performing at their best and adhering to the team’s style.
JDT will be without the suspended trio of Hector Hevel, Joao Figueiredo and Jon Irazabal.
Their injury list includes key players Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi, Bergson da Silva, Romel Morales and Juan Muniz.
Munoz acknowledged that Sabah’s current form, particularly after their semi-final win over Selangor, cannot be underestimated.
“We know what they are doing tactically — how they move, their capabilities and how they eliminated Selangor,” he said.
He emphasised the need for JDT to deliver their best performance and start the match strongly.
Captain Natxo Insa remained positive, viewing the situation as a challenge for the squad.
“This is football and sometimes bad things (happen) to one player while good things (happen) for another,” Insa said.
He expressed confidence that the available players can step up and deliver at the highest level.
The FA Cup final is set to be a high-stakes encounter between the defending champions and an in-form Sabah side. – Bernama
