KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim says his club’s current performance in the Malaysia Cup will not affect their plans for next season.
JDT, the defending champions, must beat Premier League side Mifa in their final Group C match on Sept 16 to advance to the quarter-finals.
“I feel this is one of the best seasons for JDT. Why? Not only we had won the Super League for a record fifth straight time, we have also qualified for next season’s AFC Champions League,” said Tunku Ismail in a statement on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page on Sunday.
“We have not hit top mark yet in the Malaysia Cup. We go into our last match needing to win in order to progress. Our decision to release seven players, including Safawi Rasid, for the Asian Games speaks louder than words.
“I am already happy with our achievements this year and my view will not change whether or not we win the Malaysia Cup. Of course, we would like to win it in and add another trophy to our collection of 11 titles in five years.
“We will have a very good squad next year. I am confident of that.”