Kinoshi Banks On New Signings In Charity Shield Clash Against JDT

ISKANDAR PUTERI, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Selangor FC head coach Katsuhito Kinoshi believes his side’s new signings could play a key role in their 2025/2026 Charity Shield clash against holders Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium here, tomorrow night.

While aware of JDT’s formidable home record here, Kinoshi remains confident the Red Giants,bolstered by their new signings, can approach the match with composure and express themselves on the pitch.

The Japanese coach said that although the new signings lack experience in the Malaysia League (M-League), they are experienced players and should have no trouble adapting ahead of tomorrow’s clash.

“We have a lot of respect for JDT, they have dominated Malaysian football and they have many international experiences as well but we believe in our squad, I hope we can make some impact in tomorrow’s match with this kind of new players,

“These new players as I said don’t have experience in Malaysian football but they are experienced players, so I believe in their adaptation for our match. Also we have spent about six to seven weeks together with these new players so we already have a good squad, so this is our situation now for tomorrow,” he told the pre match press conference here, today.

Among the new signings set to strengthen Selangor this season are Zach Clough, Moses Raj, Willian Lira, Omid Musawi, Chrigor Moraes, and Picha Autra.

Meanwhile, Kinoshi also urged his players not to be weighed down by pressure.

“Just focus and enjoy the match and by that, I don’t mean taking it lightly. ‘Enjoy’ means working hard, staying mentally strong, and showing our football. That’s what enjoyment is for us. We’re focused on playing our game in this beautiful stadium against a strong opponent,” he said.

JDT have lifted the season-opening silverware nine times, including seven consecutive editions between 2018 and 2024.

The clash between JDT and Selangor is seen as a long-awaited rematch after last season’s Charity Shield encounter was cancelled following Selangor’s last-minute withdrawal.

Selangor were forced to pull out of the fixture due to a series of criminal incidents and threats involving several players, most notably the acid attack on winger Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim on May 5.

As a result, JDT were awarded a 3-0 ‘walkover’ victory and three Super League points.

-- BERNAMA