PETALING JAYA, Nov 23 — Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) coach Mario Gomez hailed his side’s unbeaten run in the Malaysia Cup after the Southern Tigers drew 1-1 with Sarawak at the Larkin Stadium on Saturday to finish their group stage as champions.

“We were already in the quarterfinal, but we wanted to go for the win. It’s a good point, but most importantly we finished the group stage without losing.

“I also rested a few players who will be fresh for the quarterfinal against Felda,” said Gomez, whose side last’s competitive M-League loss came against The Settlers when they lost 2-1 in the league in August.

JDT had also lost 3-1 to Kuwait’s Al Qadsia in the first-leg semifinal of the AFC Cup in September, but the result was rescinded after the Kuwait FA were suspended by Fifa for government interference.

JDT then beat Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol 1-0 in the final and become the first Malaysian team to win the Cup.

The Southern Tigers, who had won their first five group games took the lead through Amirul Hadi Zainal in the 38th minute before Gerhardt Ernst levelled after the break in a game that had to be postponed for 10 minutes due to floodlight blackout.

Gomez hailed Amirul, who was returning from injury.

“He never complained even though I chose Shakir (Ali) and Gary (Steven Robbat). I gave him an opportunity and he took it,” said the Argentine.

“Felda are dangerous. They are well balanced but their strikers can punish any team. We will be ready for them,” said Gomez.

Sarawak interim coach David Usop said: “My players improved significantly after the break and we want that kind of fighting spirit against an unpredictable side like Selangor. We will not have much rest, so I will need to check on my players availability.”