PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) remain positive about their chances in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) despite suffering their first loss in the competition.
The Southern Tigers were beaten 3-1 by South Korean side Gwangju on Tuesday but coach Hector Bidoglio emphasised that the loss was not the end for his team.
It would have been ideal to bring back three points from the Yongin Mireu Stadium but the double goals from Gwangju’s Jasir Asani in the opening six minutes put a halt to JDT’s game plan.
Even though JDT defender Feroz Baharudin got one back for the team, an own goal by Park Jun-heong gave Gwangju the cushion they needed to walk away with the win.
“We tried to bounce back with Feroz’s goal and dominate the match, but the own goal stopped our chances to at least get a draw,” said Bidoglio in a post-match press conference
“However, I am not blaming any player. We just didn’t have luck on our side. It was a tough match but I am satisfied with my players’ performance.
“The opponents scored early goals but we didn’t lose focus and maintained possession.’’
The Argentine-born coach said JDT have a squad that can pose a challenge in the tournament, adding that the team will continue to work on their tactical play to take on the best teams in Asia.
“Our opponents are a very good team. This is the ACLE, all the teams we face are tough.
“We will grow, focus on our playing and tactical behaviours and see that in the next game,” he said.
Meanwhile, JDT captain Natxo Insa said the team gathered themselves well quickly after the back-to-back goals by Gwangju in the early minutes.
“It was hard conceding two goals so early, but after 10 minutes, the team reacted well.
“We created a lot of chances and we could have ended the first half 2-2. It is disappointing because those six minutes changed the game.
“We have done really well in the tournament so far. I think we should have had at least one point from the match but this is how football is, this is how life is,” he said in an interview after the match.
JDT are now in third place with four points in Group A. They earlier drew 2-2 with Shanghai Port and beat Shanghai Shenhua 3-0.
They will play Korean side Ulsan on Nov 5 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
