‘Untamed’: a roaring tribute to JDT’s football legacy

Few Malaysian football clubs can rival the remarkable success of Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club (JDT).

Over the past 13 years, the Southern Tigers have transformed into one of Asia’s leading football powerhouses, winning an impressive 35 trophies and earning the distinction of being ranked No 1 in Southeast Asia and 10th in Asia.

Behind these extraordinary achievements lies a story of ambition, sacrifice, determination and an unwavering pursuit of excellence.

This remarkable journey takes centre stage in “Untamed”, a new 76-minute documentary chronicling JDT’s rise from a relatively modest football club into a dominant force that has redefined Malaysian football standards.

The documentary offers viewers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of JDT’s football empire, going beyond the excitement of the pitch into the dressing rooms, training grounds and management offices where the club is truly moulded.

It also explores the immense pressure, controversies and struggles that have shaped the team over the years.

“Untamed” marks the debut of JDT+, the club’s exclusive streaming platform, dubbed “The Home of JDT Originals”. The platform will offer fans a range of premium content, including original documentaries, exclusive footage and insights from players and coaches.

The documentary chronicles major milestones in JDT’s history, from its early days and transformation under Regent of Johor and JDT owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim in 2012, to its historic AFC Cup triumph in 2015 and continuing aspirations to become a powerhouse of Asian football.

Offering their insights are prominent club figures such as JDT chief operating officer Alistair Edwards, JDT finance director Mohamad Jaifuddin Bujang Mohidin, and JDT special projects manager Kevin Ramalingam.

Also featured in the documentary are Southern Tigers stars Arif Aiman, Bergson da Silva, Matt Davies and Corbin Ong, alongside former players Safiq Rahim and Safee Sali, and former head coach Bojan Hodak. Their firsthand accounts offer viewers deeper insight into the experiences, demands and pressures of upholding JDT’s formidable reputation on the pitch.

Beyond those directly involved with JDT, the documentary also features personalities such as former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin, rapper Joe Flizzow and sports journalist Keesh.

Among the documentary’s biggest highlights, however, are the insights offered by Tunku Ismail. Widely credited with transforming JDT into the powerhouse it is today, Tunku Ismail offers candid insights into his leadership philosophy and the effective, sometimes unconventional approaches that have helped propel JDT to success.

From a technical standpoint, “Untamed” impresses with polished visuals and high production values. The editing is sharp, with footage skilfully complementing the candid and often hilarious remarks of the interviewees.

One particularly amusing segment, in which a new player recounts his first experiences with the club, provides some of the documentary’s biggest laughs.

However, condensing more than a decade of the club’s history into a 76-minute documentary is no easy task, and some aspects of its remarkable journey are inevitably explored in less depth than they deserve.

Several interviewees speak passionately about the club’s unique culture and winning mentality, emphasising that its success goes beyond merely investing in expensive players. These are intriguing points that could have benefited from greater exploration, particularly in illustrating what truly sets JDT apart from its competitors.

The documentary also adopts a largely self-congratulatory tone, which is understandable given the club’s extraordinary achievements. Nevertheless, a more balanced examination of its journey might have added greater depth to the storytelling.

As it stands, “Untamed” works better as a celebration of JDT’s remarkable rise than as a comprehensive examination of the factors behind its success.

Still, for Malaysian football fans, the documentary offers an engaging and visually impressive tribute to a club that has undoubtedly left its mark on the sport.

For more information on ‘Untamed’ and JDT+, visit their website.

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