Calm before the storm: JDT coach Hector Bidoglio (right) and captain Jordi Amat posing for a photograph after a training session at the Pudong Football Stadium. — Johor Darul Ta’zim
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are out to make their domestic dominance count on the regional stage when they kick off their AFC Champions League Elite campaign in China today.
The Southern Tigers, who landed in Shanghai two days ago, take on Shanghai Port at the Pudong Football Stadium.
JDT coach Hector Bidoglio said they have high hopes of reaching the last 16 of the competition under the new format and is expecting his charges to make a winning start.
The new format features 24 teams – 12 from West Asia and 12 from East Asia.
With each club playing four matches at home and four away, the top eight in each side of the draw progress to the knockout stages early next year.
“This is an important competition for us to show how we have grown as a team over the years. We are a club that improve every season ... or should I say, every day,” said the Venezuelan.
“We have a great responsibility to ensure that our growth continues. We have a good squad capable of competing on the biggest stages.”
JDT, however, have their work cut out against Shanghai as they are the best club in China and are on course to retaining the Chinese Super League (CSL) title.
Their home form on the regional stage has been sensational as they are unbeaten after 20 matches.
Shanghai, who are facing JDT for the first time, boast top quality players like Argentine striker Matias Vargas, Brazilian playmaker Oscar Emboaba, Brazilian striker Gustavo Henrique and Chinese international winger Wu Lei.
Wu Lei is the leading scorer In the CSL with 28 goals while Henrique is second with 19.
Vargas and Emboaba have seven goals each but they are the creative force of the side.
Emboaba is no stranger on the international stage as he once starred for Chelsea in the English Premier League. He has also featured for the Brazilian national team, winning 48 caps from 2011 to 2015 until his big-money move to Shanghai in 2017.
Meanwhile, JDT captain Jordi Amat is expecting a tough match against Shanghai but they are prepared to get a good result.
“We are facing the best team in China, enough said,” he said.
JDT will play their home matches against Ulsan HD, Pohang Steelers (South Korea), Buriram United (Thailand) and Shanghai Shenhua (China).
In their away fixtures, they will take on Shandong Taishan, Shanghai Port (China), Central Coast Mariners (Australia) and Gwangju (South Korea).
