KUALA LUMPUR – Johor Darul Ta’zim FC’s ascent in Malaysian football has been nothing short of phenomenal. Over the past decade, the club have amassed an impressive 28 silverware, including 10 consecutive Super League titles.
JDT’s recent triumph in the FA Cup final, where they defeated Selangor FC 6-1 on Saturday at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, further underscores their dominance. This victory also marked their third consecutive FA Cup title.
However, as JDT continue to rise, it’s evident that Selangor FC, once a powerhouse in the domestic scene, have faded from their prime. The club have failed to secure a major domestic trophy since winning the Malaysia Cup in 2015.
Despite receiving annual funding from the Selangor state government, ranging from RM10 million to RM15 million, including a reported RM10 million allocation by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari for the club’s Super League campaign and this year’s AFC Asian Champions League 2 competition, questions persist.
How long will it take for Selangor to rise to JDT’s level? The challenge now lies in attracting top talent, upgrading facilities, advancing sports science, and, most crucially, reclaiming their place in the title race.
Speaking to Scoop, former national head coach and Selangor legend Datuk K. Rajagopal emphasised the need for Selangor’s management to take a leaf out of JDT’s book and focus on growth.
“Other clubs, including Selangor, know how long it will take to reach JDT’s level. They understand the gap, but without big dreams, ambitions, and the right mechanisms, it will be difficult to be on par with them.
“All clubs in the Malaysian league should be open to learning from JDT and start looking at things positively, identifying areas where they can improve to get better.
“It’s very hard to say when Selangor will be on par, but if these aspects are addressed by the management, not only Selangor but any club in our country can match JDT,” said the 68-year-old when contacted.
Rajagopal played alongside Selangor legends such as Datuk Santokh Singh, Datuk R. Arumugam and Datuk Mokhtar Dahari between 1974 and 1980.
Rajagopal also orchestrated Malaysia’s historic win in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, where the Harimau Malaya secured the trophy for the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1996.
Selangor currently rank second in the Super League table with 19 points. – August 27, 2024