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Sinar Daily
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Sinar Daily
JDT legends Safiq Rahim, Farizal Marlias bid farewell to Southern Tigers
The Johor-born duo are widely regarded as legends, not only for their on-field success but also for their leadership and influence within the club. 18 Jun 2025 12:13pm Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) stalwarts Safiq Rahim and Farizal Marlias have bid farewell to the club after years of dedication to the Southern Tigers. Photo: Facebook: Johor Southern Tigers JOHOR BAHRU - Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) stalwarts Safiq Rahim and Farizal Marlias have bid farewell to the club after years of dedication to the Southern Tigers. The club announced the duo's departure via a tribute on its official Facebook page, recognising their years of commitment, leadership and achievements that helped shape JDT into a dominant force in Malaysian and regional football. Safiq, 37, joined JDT in 2013 and has been instrumental in the team's success, including captaining the side to the historic 2015 AFC Cup victory, the first time an East Asian club clinched the prestigious continental title. Over the course of 270 appearances, the attacking midfielder netted 59 goals and provided 68 assists, helping the club secure an impressive list of honours - nine Malaysia Super League titles, seven Charity Shields, four Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups and one AFC Cup. Over the course of 270 appearances, Safiq netted 59 goals and provided 68 assists, helping the club secure an impressive list of honours - nine Malaysia Super League titles, seven Charity Shields, four Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups, and one AFC Cup. Photo: Facebook: Johor Southern Tigers Farizal, 38, who donned the JDT jersey in 2015, on the other hand, established himself as one of the country's finest goalkeepers, keeping 102 clean sheets in 222 appearances. His tenure saw him win 10 league titles, nine Charity Shields, five Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups and the historic AFC Cup in 2015. The Johor-born duo are widely regarded as legends, not only for their on-field success but also for their leadership and influence within the club. Yesterday, JDT confirmed the release of 11 players ahead of the 2025-2026 M-League season through a post on social media. Among those released were goalkeepers Farizal Marlias and Izham Tarmizi, as well as midfield legend Safiq Rahim. The Southern Tigers also parted ways with seven foreign players, Jordi Amat, Jese Rodriguez, Murilo Henrique, Jonathan Viera, Alvaro Gonzalez, Roque Mesa, and Anselmo de Moraes, as the club looks to refresh its squad for the upcoming campaign. The eleventh departure is Ramadhan Saifullah, who has completed a permanent transfer to Kuching City FC, officially bringing his journey with the Southern Tigers to a close. - BERNAMA More Like This
Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
As Safuwan Baharudin focuses on Bangladesh mission, uncertainty looms over his club future
Safuwan Baharudin is eager to lead the Lions to a win over Bangladesh in the Asian Cup qualifier on June 10. PHOTO: FAS As Safuwan Baharudin focuses on Bangladesh mission, uncertainty looms over his club future SINGAPORE – At 33, Safuwan Baharudin remains one of the first names in the Lions' starting line-up. But while his importance to the national set-up is as strong as ever, uncertainty surrounds his club future. Although he still has a year left on his contract with Malaysia Super League runners-up Selangor FC, the centre-back has been told he is no longer part of their plans for next season. The ambiguity surrounding his career has taken a personal toll, said Safuwan, who racked up 71 appearances with the Red Giants across two stints and even donned the captain's armband. 'The sad truth is that coach (Katsuhito Kinoshi) does not want to include me in his plans so I've got to go,' said Safuwan. 'I'm disheartened, and not sure about what lies ahead for me. I've got nothing on the table now. 'It has been a tough few weeks for me. I deactivated my social media, I was quite disheartened.' Safuwan Baharudin training with the Lions at the Armed Police Battalion Field in Dhaka on June 8. He is eager to help the Lions to a win over Bangladesh in the Asian Cup qualifier on June 10. PHOTO: FAS Safuwan, who was part of the Lions' 2012 Asean Championship-winning side, did not rule out a move back home to play in the Singapore Premier League, adding that while he has yet to receive any offers, he is certain that he can still contribute at the top level. He is hoping to have a 'clearer picture' after the crucial Asian Cup third-round Group C qualifier against Bangladesh in Dhaka on June 10. 'I'm just trying to go to a place where I feel that I can end my last few playing years at the highest level that I can possibly be at. I feel that I'm still at my peak,' said Safuwan. Lions coach Tsutomu Ogura praised Safuwan's contributions to the Lions, adding that the defender, who has 123 caps, has brought plenty of experience to the team. The Japanese tactician said: 'He has the fighting spirit and also the ability to still perform at the highest level.' For now, Safuwan will need to put aside his consternation over his club career as a crucial 90 minutes in Dhaka beckons. World No. 161 Singapore kicked off their Asian Cup third-round qualifying campaign with a 0-0 home draw against Hong Kong on March 25, while Bangladesh's visit to India also ended goal-less. Only the group winners will advance to the tournament proper in 2027. Singapore warmed up for the Bangladesh fixture with a 3-1 win over the Maldives in a friendly at the Bishan Stadium on June 5. Safuwan, who played the whole game, conceded a late penalty after he was adjudged to have tripped substitute Hassan Nazeem in the box. Maldives scored from the spot to deny the Lions a clean sheet. While it was a victory, Ogura is hoping to see an improved performance. The Lions' defence was particularly vulnerable when the 164th-ranked Maldivians counter-attacked. The Japanese said: 'We got three goals but in the second half, we could not control the game. It is important that we can control the game because Bangladesh can be a force going forward and we do not want to be on the end of their counter-attacks.' While Bangladesh – at 185th – may be the lowest-ranked team in the group, they showed their mettle by holding the group's top-ranked team India (127th) in their opening match in Delhi. The Bengal Tigers will welcome the Lions at a sold-out, 22,660-capacity National Stadium in Dhaka that is set to be filled with fervent home fans. The hosts have recently been boosted significantly by the addition of Leicester City's former England Under-21 midfielder Hamza Choudhury, 27, who made his Bangladesh debut in the draw with India after switching allegiance last December. Hamza Choudhury in action for Sheffield United, where he was on loan for the past season from Leicester, against Sunderland in the Championship Playoff final on May 24. PHOTO: REUTERS The match against Singapore could also see Canada-born player Shamit Shome, 27, making his Bangladesh debut alongside Choudhury in central midfield. Shome, who made two senior appearances for Canada in international friendlies, has been plying his trade in Canada's top flight since 2021, after having played for Major League Soccer club Montreal Impact. He received Fifa's approval to represent Bangladesh in May. Bangladesh's squad also includes former Sampdoria Under-18 left-back Fahemedul Islam, who plays for Italian fourth-tier side Olbia. The 18-year-old made his international debut in a 2-0 win over Bhutan on June 4. Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera believes that they boast the best midfield in South Asia with Choudhury and Shome and expressed confidence in beating Singapore, while captain Jamal Bhuiyan noted of the need to nullify the Lions' strengths in ball possession, build-up play and set-pieces. Cabrera added: 'Singapore are a strong side, especially in attack. They are tactically organised and very good in their offensive transitions. But we've prepared well. We believe we've given the team the right information and solutions. We respect Singapore, but we're confident we can get three points.' Deepanraj Ganesan is a sports journalist at The Straits Times focusing on football, athletics and government sports announcements. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
JDT part ways with coach Bidoglio after stellar season
KUALA LUMPUR: Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have announced the departure of their Venezuelan coach Hector Bidoglio. The Southern Tigers issued a statement today, thanking the 57-year-old for his unwavering commitment and service to the club. "Hector joined JDT as head coach midway through the 2022 season before assuming a technical director role in 2023, and later returned as head coach in the 2024/2025 season, where JDT secured a quadruple," the statement read. "Hector won two Malaysia Super League titles, two FA Cups, two Malaysia Cups and a Charity Cup during his Southern Tigers tenure, unbeaten in all domestic competitions." Bidoglio, who was on his second stint with JDT, guided them to the Super League, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup titles last season. His first stint was a brief spell as JDT head coach from July-November 2022, guiding the Southern Tigers to the Super League, Malaysia Cup and FA Cup titles. He also repeated the treble feat last season, but could only guide the team to the round of 16 in the AFC Champions League Elite. JDT are expected to announce a new head coach soon and Spaniard Xisco Munoz has been linked to the hot seat. It was previously reported that the former Watford boss is finalising terms with the Super League giants, who are eyeing a new era of domestic dominance and greater success in the Asian Champions League Elite. Munoz, 44, guided Watford to Premier League promotion in the 2020–21 season. He has also managed in Georgia, Cyprus, Slovakia and Spain.
The Star
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Coach Bidoglio leaves JDT after three years
PETALING JAYA: Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have announced the departure of Venezuelan coach Hector Bidoglio. The Southern Tigers issued a statement on Friday (May 23) thanking the 57-year-old for his unwavering commitment and service to the club. "Hector joined JDT as head coach midway through the 2022 season before assuming a technical director role in 2023, and later returned as head coach in the 2024/2025 season, where JDT secured a quadruple," the statement read. "Hector won two Malaysia Super League titles, two FA Cups, two Malaysia Cups and a Charity Cup during his Southern Tigers tenure, unbeaten in all domestic competitions." JDT will be announcing a new head coach soon as part of the club's efforts to elevate standards during the off-season.
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
Brunei's DPMM FC Confirms Malaysia Super League Challenge
KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Brunei-based club DPMM FC has confirmed its participation in the 2025/2026 Malaysia Super League (MSL) season, even as the Malaysian Football League (MFL) remains tight-lipped on the official number of teams for the upcoming campaign. The club made the announcement in a statement on the signing of Penang FC defender Mohammad Fairuz Zakaria. In the same statement, DPMM also confirmed that both Bruneian and Malaysian players will be regarded as local players in the team's roster for the new MSL season. bootstrap slideshow 'Fairuz Zakaria has agreed to join DPMM FC for the upcoming Malaysia Super League season 2025/2026. Bruneian players as well as Malaysian players are considered local players for DPMM FC for this MSL season, which is very good news for us. 'He is the first Malaysian player that will be in the DPMM roster. Fairuz Zakaria 27, has been a regular in the team for Penang FC last season and DPMM is hoping that he would do well with the team in the upcoming season,' according to a statement on the club's official website. Last Friday, the First Instance Body (FIB), an independent licensing authority, stated that the document review process for clubs applying for the National License to compete in the 2025/2026 season is still ongoing. This follows media reports suggesting several teams may withdraw from the competition. DPMM, Brunei's most established football club and currently the only professional team in the country, is still completing its remaining fixtures in the Singapore Premier League. -- BERNAMA
