PETALING JAYA: Bangkok United’s Singaporean midfielder Kyoga Nakamura has singled out Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) stars Joao Figueiredo and Arif Aiman Hanapi as players to watch when Bangkok United open their Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup campaign at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium today.
The Japanese-born Nakamura, who is featuring in the tournament for the first time, said he was eager to test himself against South-East Asia’s top talents.
“I’m excited to be part of this competition, my first time. JDT have many good players. Number 25 (Joao Figueiredo) is very strong. I played against him before when Singapore faced Malaysia, and he stood out,” he said.
“We also know about Arif Aiman – he’s a very talented player. We are excited to test ourselves against them.”
Bangkok coach Totchtawan Sripan echoed his midfielder’s respect for the Malaysian champions, stressing that JDT’s depth and facilities make them one of Asia’s top sides.
“JDT are one of the best clubs in Asia, not just South-East Asia,” said Totchtawan.
“We have faced top teams in the AFC Champions League before, and with that experience, we know how to handle them. Each team have their identity, and while JDT’s quality might force us to adjust, we will stick to our plan.”
Despite a 2-1 loss to Buriram United in the Thai League last weekend, Totchtawan insists his side’s confidence remains high. He also pointed out that squad depth and rotation will be vital as the club juggle a packed schedule.
“Injuries are normal when you play twice a week, but we strengthened our squad during pre-season. We now have balance and rotation, so we are ready for these challenges,” he said.
For Bangkok, the tournament is as important as their domestic league and the AFC Champions League. Totchtawan sees the competition as a major platform for local players to grow.
“This competition is crucial as it helps local players improve and take the next step.
“We have been following it since the first edition last season, and we’re looking forward to facing the top teams in the region,” he said.
With JDT aiming to dominate at home and Bangkok eager to prove themselves on foreign soil, today’s clash is set to be an early highlight of the tournament.
