Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Johor Darul Ta'zim v Bengaluru Revisited
The original version of a story I wrote last year ahead of the AFC Champions League Preliminary Round in JB. JDT of course went on to win the AFC Cup, the first South East Asian side to do so. 12 months on and they meet again, this time in the AFC Cup group stage. Both sides may have already qualified but there are still two of the most ambitious clubs in the competition...for them there are no dead rubbers. When you think of Malaysia or Indian football the clubs that spring to mind are the likes of Selangor in Malaysia or East Bengal. Traditional powers with a fanbase to match. But when the names went into the hat for the Asian Champions League draw for 2015, those names were absent. Instead it was Johor Darul Ta’zim and Bengalaru, two clubs backing up vision and planning with an investment at all levels rarely seen in their countries until recently.
Bengalaru were only formed in 2013 India’s football ruling body, All India Football Federation,
announced a couple of clubs could join the upcoming ILeague season if the owners peldged to
develop the game and develop a football infrastructure.
announced a couple of clubs could join the upcoming ILeague season if the owners peldged to
develop the game and develop a football infrastructure.
Based in the city of Bengalaru, formerly known as Bangalore, the football club went on a recruitment drive, bringing in promising young English coach Ashley Westwood to build a team.
Among the players Westwood signed were Australian striker Sean Rooney, who had a short stint with Deltras in Indonesia, as well as a couple of former Middlesbrough trainees, John Johnson and Josh Walker, who were happy to trade the lower divisions of English football for the glitz and glamour of one of the fastest growing cities in India.
Indian national team striker Sunil Chhetri was brought in to add some much needed experience, the
30 year old has previously played in the US for Kansas City Wizards and Portugal, as well as 24 year old striker Robin Singh and left back Keegan Pereira.
30 year old has previously played in the US for Kansas City Wizards and Portugal, as well as 24 year old striker Robin Singh and left back Keegan Pereira.
Bengalaru went on to win the ILeague at the first time of asking and ahead of their ACL qualifier
against JDT lifted the Federation Cup. They have not carried that success into the new ILeague
season, winning just one of their opening four games and sitting seventh in the 11 team league.
against JDT lifted the Federation Cup. They have not carried that success into the new ILeague
season, winning just one of their opening four games and sitting seventh in the 11 team league.
Johor Darul Ta’zim have more of a history but in recent seasons they had almost slipped off the
football radar. A bit like Malaysia football itself just five years ago, Johor were playing in front of
crowds that would reach a few dozen if there was a reasonable away following.
football radar. A bit like Malaysia football itself just five years ago, Johor were playing in front of
crowds that would reach a few dozen if there was a reasonable away following.
All that changed when the crown prince of Johor state decided to take over the football club and he
set about rebranding it. The club became known as Johor Darul Ta’zim and the team’s logo became
an increasingly common sight around the city as more and more fans rediscovered the team on their
doorstep.
set about rebranding it. The club became known as Johor Darul Ta’zim and the team’s logo became
an increasingly common sight around the city as more and more fans rediscovered the team on their
doorstep.
In contrast to Bengalaru who adopted a policy of signing foreign players still at their peak and with
something to offer, JDT opted for the big headline signings such as Argentine international Pablo
Aimar but while they brought headlines on the back pages they produced little on the pitch.
something to offer, JDT opted for the big headline signings such as Argentine international Pablo
Aimar but while they brought headlines on the back pages they produced little on the pitch.
In 2014, guided by experienced Croatian coach Bojan Hodak, JDT won the Malaysia Super League
for the first time with a squad packed with some of the best local talent as well as hungry foreigners
like Hariss Harun from neighbouring Singapore and Argentine Jorge Diaz who still have the time
and desire to make a name for themselves.
for the first time with a squad packed with some of the best local talent as well as hungry foreigners
like Hariss Harun from neighbouring Singapore and Argentine Jorge Diaz who still have the time
and desire to make a name for themselves.
With the Malaysia Super League season set to kick off this weekend, JDT began their campaign last
Saturday, giving them time to prepare ahead of the tie with Bengalaru, and they lifted the Charity
Shield after defeating Pahang, another club benefiting from an infusion of new money, 2-0 in Johor.
Saturday, giving them time to prepare ahead of the tie with Bengalaru, and they lifted the Charity
Shield after defeating Pahang, another club benefiting from an infusion of new money, 2-0 in Johor.
It is unlikely either side will make it to the group stages of the AFC Asian Champions League where
they would go toe to toe with the big teams from Japan, China or South Korea but both clubs are in
their own way leading the way domestically. The roots being laid down at the moment at both clubs
set them apart from many of their peers and the professional examples they are setting both on and
off the pitch are forcing other clubs to re examine the way they operate and that can only be good for
football in both India and Malaysia.
they would go toe to toe with the big teams from Japan, China or South Korea but both clubs are in
their own way leading the way domestically. The roots being laid down at the moment at both clubs
set them apart from many of their peers and the professional examples they are setting both on and
off the pitch are forcing other clubs to re examine the way they operate and that can only be good for
football in both India and Malaysia.
# posted by Me @ 12:10 PM 
