PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) coach Xisco Munoz (pic) has welcomed the prospect of facing top-class opposition in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite quarter-finals.
The Super League champions, who finished sixth in the ACL league stage and edged Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-2 in the round of 16, will take on either Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli or Qatar’s Al-Duhail in the last eight.
Defending champions Al-Ahli head into the tie as favourites, boasting a star-studded line-up featuring Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, England striker Ivan Toney, Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie and Turkey defender Merih Demiral — all established internationals.
Should JDT be drawn against Al-Duhail, the eight-time Qatar Stars League champions can also call upon top talent such as winger Edmilson Junior, Poland striker Krzysztof Pitek and former Italy and Paris St Germain midfielder Marco Verratti.
The knockout stage will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Munoz is looking forward to the challenge of his charges facing some of the world’s most talented players in the prestigious competition.
‘’We always wanted to push and test ourselves against the best. By reaching this stage, we have achieved that aim.
‘‘We will give our best when we head to Saudi Arabia,” said the Spaniard.
The quarter-finals are scheduled from April 16-18, followed by the semi-finals from April 20-21.
The final will be held on April 25 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, where the winners will claim Asia’s top club prize and a record purse of at least US$12mil (RM47.4mil).
