KUALA LUMPUR: Xisco Munoz made a winning start as Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) coach, guiding the Southern Tigers to an eighth straight Charity Shield triumph with a 3-0 victory over Selangor at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Friday.
The win, which also delivered three Super League points, came as little surprise as JDT comfortably tamed Katsuhito Kinoshi’s Red Giants in the season opener.
Despite the emphatic result, Munoz played down his role, insisting he was fortunate to lead a squad stacked with quality.
“The early goal changed everything. It gave us the confidence to control the game, and you could see how the opposition played when they sat back,” said the Spaniard.
“Throughout the match we changed the tempo — sometimes quick, sometimes slow — because Selangor tried to catch us on the counter.
“In the second half we switched formation, putting two in midfield to give us balance. That allowed us to control the game completely, and from there we scored the second and third goals.”
Munoz said JDT must keep improving and avoid complacency, with several new players still adjusting to his philosophy and tactics.
“To raise our quality, we have to plan step by step and keep working. In football, players must be moulded to play with high intensity and be ready for competitive matches.
“Every day we must fix our weaknesses and deliver our best on the pitch, with strong tactics. Today’s (Friday) win gives us confidence and a positive mentality,” he added.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
