The Crown Prince owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) lauded his side's achievements in the AFC Cup, despite their failure to defend the continental trophy after crashing out in the semifinals to India's Bengaluru FC.
The Southern Tigers were convincingly defeated 3-1 on Wednesday night by the I-League champions, who progressed 4-2 on aggregate. They will face Iraq's Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in the final on Nov. 5.
But TMJ, as he is known, hailed his team's consistent performances that have garnered them three trophies this season.
"It was not a great result, but I want to congratulate my team for making the AFC Cup semifinals consecutive times. I have no complaints. We have already won the Charity Shield, FA Cup and league this year," he said via the club's Southern Tigers Facebook page.
"Other teams may give priority to the Malaysia Cup or league, but, for me, we are the most successful club, both on, and off, the pitch."
JDT, who travelled to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium without the suspended Juan Martin Lucero, Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Amri Yahyah, shocked the visitors through an early Safiq Rahim headed goal.
But once Albert Roca's men found their rhythm, they dominated the game, and thoroughly deserved the win, powered by Sunil Chhetri's brace. JDT coach Mario Gomez conceded that his team "made mistakes" after taking the lead away from home.
Bengaluru's victory meant they became the first Indian side to book an AFC Cup final berth. JDT's defeat, meanwhile, spelt the end of their quest to become the only Malaysian side to rack up four trophies in a single season.
Mario Gomez's star-studded cast are, nonetheless, still on course to become the only unbeaten team in the Malaysia Super League (MSL), if they avoid defeat against Selangor in the final domestic fixture at Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday.
JDT are the only team to have won three consecutive MSL titles since the league's inception in 2004.