Mora is prepared for the aftermath of JDT's Malaysia Cup final defeat

KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) head coach Benjamin Mora does not rule out the possibility of losing his job following the defeat to Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC in the 2021 Malaysia Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here, last night.

Mora, 42, said the decision on his future with the Southern Tigers is beyond his control.

However, the Mexican coach, who has won several titles including the 2019 Malaysia Cup since taking charge of JDT for the second time in 2018, admitted that so far he had a very good relationship with the management, as well as the players.

"Maybe (losing job), but I'm not the one who makes that decision. I have a very good relationship with the management and with the players. I always try to win, I always do my best and I always give everything for JDT.

"If at some point the management or TMJ (Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) thinks that's the solution, they will let me know, but for now we are tight, we are okay, we're fine and then we will review the situation if it comes," he said at press conference after the match here, last night.

During last night's final, which was on the 100th anniversary of the Malaysia Cup competition, JDT had to accept a 0-2 defeat at the hands of KL City FC, thus failed to defend the title they won in 2019.

KL City FC's two goals were scored by midfielder Zhafri Yahya in the 66th minute and skipper Paulo Josue (74th minute) to create a glorious night for the City Boys and end the 32-year long wait for the coveted Malaysia Cup.

Meanwhile, Mora said his team was not overconfident and they did not underestimate KL City FC's ability in the match, despite being the favorites.

He said although the result was not favorable to his side, the players had played well and he saw the defeat to KL City FC from a positive angle to prepare a stronger squad in the future.

"They were overconfident. They were very focused, very concentrated and very motivated and the first goal was a cross that we just lost the marking, this can happen. It was an individual situation, but no one is to be blamed.

"Failures are there to ensure success ahead. If we don't lose, if we don't feel what we felt tonight, maybe it's going to be difficult (for JDT) to evolve, difficult to have an evolution and difficult to see that we need to do something to continue dominating," he said.

-- BERNAMA