KUALA LUMPUR: Former Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) players Safee Sali, Baihakki Khaizan and Hariss Harun congratulated the Southern Tigers for their 10th straight Super League title triumph.
JDT assured themselves of the title after a 4-0 win over Police at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium yesterday with goals from Bergson Da Silva (37th minute), Juan Muniz (40th), Arif Aiman Hanapi (54th) and Fernando Forestieri (57th).
Safee, who played for JDT from 2014 to 2017, said: "Congratulations JDT. Champions for a decade, 10 straight years is an amazing accomplishment.
And they have an amazing figure like Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (JDT club owner) who is in his own class.
"The number 10 is a special one, and this is the best example for all teams to follow as JDT are equipped with the best facilities, have good management, they always care for welfare (of players and staff) and a good academy."
Baihakki, who turned out for JDT between 2014 and 2016, said JDT played every match with conviction, which saw them stay undefeated in 22 matches so far.
"Winning 10 consecutive Super League titles is an immense achievement. Total dominance. The manner in which this season was won is simply amazing, winning just about every match convincingly," said Baihakki.
Former Singapore player Harris said he is proud to have captained JDT between 2014 and 2021.
"A decade dominating football - that's a truly remarkable achievement for a football club, one that I'm proud to have previously captained and played a huge part," said Hariss.
"I remember how it was when we started. We were a club looking to make waves. It wasn't easy winning each trophy but the desire and determination to succeed came from the very top of the club's hierarchy and spilled over to the rest of us - players, coaches and staff.
"Fast-forward the years, JDT have dominated football for a decade."
JDT coach Esteban Solari attributed their success to their changing room culture which he described as "harmonious".
"It's a meaningful day for JDT to win for the 10th straight time. Not only do we dominate the league, but we have shown our best since the first day, winning 21 games and we have never lost. We scored 86 goals and only conceded seven and this is promising," said Solari.
"It's the hard work of all the professional players who showed their effort to learn and become better, displayed a high level of commitment in training which is translated in the matches.
"All the players gave their 100 per cent to prove they deserve to be on the squad. This can be seen in every match where they play whole-heartedly to prove they are the best."
JDT, who achieved the treble last year, are on course to repeat the feat. Having won the FA Cup in July and now the Super League title, they only need to win the Malaysia Cup, where they are at the semi-final stage.