Marked man: JDT’s Arif Aiman Hanapi is challenged by three Kuching City players during their Super League match on Friday. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT)’s captain Jordi Amat wants his boys to blow the roof off Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri when they take on a second Shanghai team within two weeks in the AFC Champions League Elite.
Today, the Southern Tigers are bracing for a physical and tactical game against Chinese Super Cup champions Shanghai Shenhua.
Last week, they held a stubborn Shanghai Port to a 2-2 draw at the Pudong Football Stadium.
Jordi knows the job against Shenhua will be tougher.
Their opponents are after all being coached legendary Russian manager Leonid Slutsky, who helped CSKA Moscow win the Russian League three times in four seasons from 2012 to 2016.
But the 32-year-old Jordi and Co are relishing the challenge.
“We know what is at stake. Getting three points against Shenhua will be a massive result,” said the Indonesian.
“It will show that the club are only getting better and are able to compete with anyone. I am proud to be part of this set-up.
“Shanghai Port created many chances and played possession game, but we know Shenhua are organised and will rely on set-pieces for goals because they have tall players.
“They will also be out to exploit spaces with their counters but we will be ready. We will press them, continue with our idea of playing good football and show what Champions League matches are all about.”
Yesterday Hector Bidoglio said he had full confidence in his team.
Although they will not have French winger Enzo Lombardo due to injury, the Venezuelan will be banking on top wingers Arif Aiman Hanapi and Brazilian Heberty Fernandes to dominate.
“We have the depth, so every player is working hard to be part of the first eleven. We are playing at home, so we are aiming for full points,” said Bidoglio.
Meanwhile, Slutsky, who coached Russia from 2015 to 2016, held JDT in high regards.
“It will be an interesting game because we will be playing against a team, who have majority of imports, mostly Spanish-based, in their first eleven,” he said.
He said the performance of Arif and Natxo Insa against Shanghai Port had caught his eyes.
“They have special players with different styles. In China, we do not have many clubs using their tactics,” he said.
“I was at Pudong Stadium watching JDT. No. 42 (Arif) impressed with two goals while No. 30 (Insa) put up an energetic show despite his age (37).
“We know how dominant JDT are in the Malaysian League but we will look to challenge their defensive line by creating more chances.”
Shenhua’s midfielder Joao Teixeira, who once played for Liverpool, wants to bring the heat to Johor.
“They want ball possession, we want it too. I will run as much as possible to get the ball for my team,” said the 31-year-old.
“Expect a competitive game.”
