Unprecedented quadruple not enough for Munoz

KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) may have completed another historic clean sweep, but coach Xisco Munoz insists the Southern Tigers are far from satisfied.

Moments after JDT defeated Kuching City 2-0 in the Malaysia Cup final on Saturday to seal an unprecedented fourth consecutive quadruple, the Spaniard immediately turned his focus toward what comes next.

“Not enough of what we are doing until today,” Munoz said.

“We need to improve, we need to compete and we need to try to give one step forward always.

“The people are thinking we need more, and more, and more.”

JDT’s latest triumph completed another clean sweep after already lifting the Super League, FA Cup and Charity Shield this season, but Munoz admitted the final against Kuching was not straightforward.

The Spaniard praised Kuching’s discipline and organisation, particularly in the first half when the underdogs frustrated JDT with a compact defensive setup.

“Nobody gives you anything free,” he said.

“We know about Kuching, the style, the power and the capacity they have.

“It’s difficult to play against a team using a 5-4-1 low block and waiting for mistakes to make transitions.”

Munoz revealed JDT were forced into tactical adjustments after Kuching repeatedly targeted spaces down the flanks and exposed gaps in midfield during the opening stages.

The decision to substitute Manuel Hidalgo early was also partly tactical, although Munoz admitted the player had been struggling with knee problems in recent weeks.

“We tried to make solutions during the game,” Munoz said.

“When Arif Aiman Hanapi came inside, we wanted more control and different phases in the game.”

The introduction of Arif Aiman ultimately changed the match, with the national winger scoring on his return from a long injury layoff before being named Man of the Match.

But while the trophy completed another dominant domestic season, Munoz suggested the bigger challenge lies beyond Malaysia.

The former Watford manager admitted his first season in Asian football had been among the toughest experiences of his coaching career.

JDT played 56 matches across all competitions this season while balancing domestic commitments, the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) and the Asean Club Championship.

“Yes,” he said when asked if this had been the most explosive season of his managerial career.

“In Europe, the Championship is one of the strongest leagues in the world.

“But this season we competed in 56 games. In Asia, the travels, the combinations and everything are totally different.

“The ACC is so close to the ACLE and we need to manage many situations.”

Munoz said that the demands of modern football are pushing players to the limit, particularly those involved with both club and country.

“Modern football has no pre-season,” he said.

“We have six, seven, eight games per month.

“Sometimes the players are tired, the muscles are tired, but they are humans.”

Despite the punishing schedule, Munoz praised his squad’s mentality and professionalism throughout the campaign.

“The team was amazing,” he said.

“With the mentality, with the power and at the end of the season, they arrived at a very good level.”

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المصدر: New Straits Times