KUALA LUMPUR – Former Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) centre-back Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak, now part of the club’s coaching staff, has confirmed that none of the club’s players who took part in Malaysia’s 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup qualifier defeat to Oman sustained injuries after the match.
Malaysia lost 0-2 in the match, which was held at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Tuesday.
A total of six JDT players participated in the match, including Endrick dos Santos, Ahmad Syihan Hazmi, Corbin Ong, Syamer Kutty Abba, Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi, and new signing Romel Morales.
The 36-year-old Aidil, a revered figure in the local football scene, said that the players returned to the club in good form and have already started their pre-season training for the new season.
“Everything has been going well now in the squad, and our players who faced Oman returned without any injuries.
“They have been training well, and we just resumed our training after a short break.
“As a unit, both players and coaches can’t wait for our pre-season games and the new season to begin,” said Aidil when contacted.
JDT were crowned the Malaysia Super League champions for the 2023 season as they finished at the top of the league with 76 points and zero defeats.
Under the guidance of head coach Hector Bidoglio, JDT is expected to embark on pre-season tour in Spain from April 14 to 30, with seven friendly matches lined up during the two weeks.
At the same time, Aidil also said that it was a proud moment for him to transition from a player to a coach with the Southern Tigers side and pledged to learn from the senior coaches within the team.
“It was a proud moment, and today was the first training session that I have conducted as a coach. So far, everything is going well, and I’m happy to be back on the training ground with my former teammates.
“I’m still young, and I have a lot more to learn as a coach. I promise to make sure that I make good use of the opportunity that has been given to me.
“Once again, I thank the Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, for giving me this wonderful opportunity. It’s an honour for me to serve the club that has helped me as a player over the years,” Aidil added.
Aidil joined JDT from Angkatan Tentera Malaysia in 2013 and went on to win 10 Super League titles (2014 to 2023), three Malaysia FA Cup titles (2016, 2022, and 2023), three Malaysia Cup titles (2017, 2019, and 2022), and the AFC Cup in 2015.
He also represented the national team from 2007 to 2022 and made a total of 98 appearances. – March 29, 2024