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JOHOR Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) 3-1 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the first leg of the AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 at the Sultan Ismail Stadium (SSI) last night was not just a match result.
It was a clear illustration of how the vision brought by the club’s owner, the Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, has completely changed the landscape of Malaysian football.
Goals from Ager Aketxe, Bergson and Marcos Guilherme at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium gave the Southern Tigers a crucial advantage heading into the second leg in Hiroshima.
However, the true meaning of the victory was much greater than just three goals on the pitch.
For more than a decade, TMJ has often insisted that Johor football needs to be at a different level. Initially, many considered the statement to be just words of confidence from a club owner with big ambitions.
However, time has proven that the vision was not just rhetoric.
The reality today is that when TMJ says something, he actually delivers.
The victory over Sanfrecce Hiroshima, a club that hails from the Japanese football system known for its discipline and quality, showed that JDT is no longer just a dominant force at the domestic level.
On the contrary, they have begun to build a reputation as a club that can compete with the elite teams in Asia.
What happened outside the stadium on the night of the match also illustrated the true strength of JDT as a football institution.
Around SSI, thousands of supporters gathered to enliven the iftar ceremony organised before the match. Tents were also set up to accommodate the large number of fans who attended.
The relaxed, lively atmosphere and the spirit of togetherness made the night more than just a football match.
Tunku Ismail managed to make the 'stage' seem like a gathering of the Johor family united by the love for their team.
After the final whistle, the atmosphere of joy continued to be felt. Supporters wearing JDT's blue and red jerseys filled the highway as they returned to various districts in the state.
Not just from Johor Bahru, but from Kluang, Batu Pahat, to Segamat, their journey home seemed to form a long night of victory parade.
In fact, JDT's dominance in local football for more than a decade is now at a level that is hard to deny.
Expecting them to lose in the FA Cup, Super League, or the Malaysia Cup is no longer a realistic approach for most other teams.
JDT has moved several steps forward in various aspects, including club structure, facility development, professional management and the quality of its players.
More importantly, this success was not achieved in a short time. It is the result of long-term planning that has been implemented consistently for many years.
The fact that needs to be accepted is that Malaysian football now has a very clear benchmark.
The question is no longer how to wait for Johor to fall, but how other teams can build their own strength to catch up with the level that JDT has set.
If Malaysian football wants to continue to grow, more clubs need to dare to emulate the vision, discipline and determination that TMJ and JDT have shown.
For Johor supporters, the night of victory on the highest stage of Asia's elite club in Iskandar Puteri was not just about celebrating three goals against Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
It was yet another proof that the big dream that TMJ once expressed is now becoming a reality.
Time to expand your powers, Johor
Md Fariq
Kuala Lumpur
The observations reflect the writer's personal insights and do not necessarily represent the official stance of The Vibes.com
