Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) are planning to unleash their Argentine star player, Pablo Aimar against Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) at Larkin Stadium on Friday.

Bojan Hodak , JDT’s team manager said that the former Valencia player's left heel injury has recuperated.

After JDT’s training session at the Padang Seri Gelam on Thursday, Hodak said, “He (Aimar) is getting better but we will see if Aimar is ready to play against PKNS.”

Hodak likewise said that JDT might change their game strategy against PKNS, which he depicted as a crucial one for the Southern Tigers.

Hodak pointed out that in the last couple of games, JDT dropped crucial points, especially when they’re playing at home.

“In the last couple of games, the players kept passing the ball around but did not penetrate into the opposition’s side.

To be honest, many teams seem to be on the defensive when they play against us ... but this should not be an excuse,” Hodak said.

“If we want to challenge for trophies, then we should get maximum points and we should do it starting with PKNS,” Hodak added.

Hodak also mentioned that PKNS will be hard to overpower as they have a solid squad and are playing admirably, particularly defensively. But, he has trust and confidence with his team.

With 15 points after playing 10 games, JDT is at the sixth spot in the Super League team standings.

The 2-1 defeat to Albirex Niigata on Thursday evening at Jalan Besar Stadium was the Courts Young Lions' sixth misfortune of the season after seven games, however coach Aide Iskandar is not even dreadful about it.

Rather, Aide highlighted that his players were in the process of learning the drills of professional setting.

Aide said that, “In general I was quite happy with the way they approached this game, but again the goals we conceded we could have avoided.”
“These boys are still young, but I wouldn’t want to use this excuse a lot, and I think they need to step up, they need to learn.“

The Courts Young Lions’ coach likewise figured out how to discover a few positives in spite of the defeat, particularly after the absence of players has constrained him. The coach was set to begin with Sherif El Masri playing in the left-back part, instead of his common position on the flanks.

Aide added that, “To be fair, we played a quality team you know, Albirex is a good team so it is a good experience for this side.”

“The second goal really killed us because we were trying to search for the equaliser, but I got to give credit to the boys for their last ten minutes, they pushed, they wanted to get a goal and we got one but unfortunately we couldn’t get the second one,” Aide continues.

Albirex head coach, Tatsuyuki Okuyama was unsurprisingly disappointed with the triumph in the wake of seeing his squad misused some gilt-edged opportunities to extend their lead.

Tatsuyuki has over and again grieved after matches about his squad's recklessness in front of goal and tonight was no difference for the coach.

“I am happy but I cannot be happy, because we couldn’t score enough,“ noted Tatsuyuki.

“Young Lions are a very good team, we knew it was very difficult to defend against their offense so we should have scored more to beat them,” Tatsuyuki continues.

Notwithstanding having three wins from their last four games, the Japanese coach likewise cautioned his side that they couldn't stand to rest on their glory.

“I am satisfied with the recent results, we are having very tough games but we have a very young team so we have to improve through the season,“ the Japanese coach concluded.

The defending Malaysia Super League champions, LionsXII defeated the same rivals away in Selayang a week back. The champions are eager to do likewise back at home.

The face off happened just a week ago and the LionsXII and Sime Darby FC will crash again on their meeting at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday evening.

The defending Malaysia Super League champions left Selayang then having gained a 2-0 triumph, another three points will do okay for Fandi Ahmad's men, as they attempt to climb up the table.

The LionsXII have now won three of their last four matches and drawn the remaining one, a run that has seen them surge to fourth.

They are now just four points behind the leader, Pahang FA at the halfway point of the league. A win on Saturday’s match against Sime Darby will put them forward towards the top position.

The form of Captain Safuwan Baharudin has been very instrumental recently with the centre-back striking for the third successive game against Sime Darby for the opening goal.

Made in resistance and a danger forthright, the 22-year-old is a key player for the LionsXII.

Another vital player is striker Khairul Amri, who finished a four-game goal drought by finally scoring the second goal.

Frequently tasked to lead the line on his own, Amri's diligent work often goes unnoticed; however, the 29-year-old's hold-up play and savage nature are critical to Fandi's strategy.

Fandi will need to choose whether to hold Madhu Mohana over Afiq Yunos at the back after playmaker, Zulfahmi Arifin ought to be in contention for a beginning compartment in the wake of missing the last game because of suspension.

The visitors will be looking to give a finer record of them than they finished back home while Coach Ismail Zakaria will be boosted by the reappearance of Uzbek attacker, Dilshod Sharofetdinov from suspension. In like manner, striker Fahrul Razi Kamaruddin and defender K.

Prabakaran will be welcomed back while new import forward, Mateo Roskam is relied upon to make his debut.

Sime Darby did demonstrate that they could inflict inconvenience against the LionsXII, who had goalkeeper, Izwan Mahbud to thank for a couple of blinding saves.

It won't be a simple ride for the hosts, who have shown they have trouble executing games off this season.