PETALING JAYA: Nacho Mendez is determined to help Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) get the better of Buriram United and seal a place in the Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup final.
The Southern Tigers have lost twice to the Thai champions this season – in the AFC Champions League Elite group stage (1-2) and in the first leg of the Shopee Cup semi-final (1-3) – but the Spaniard believes those results failed to reflect JDT’s superiority on the pitch.
The 28-year-old midfielder stressed that JDT had controlled large parts of both matches and felt the team were punished for lapses in concentration and a lack of ruthlessness in key moments.
“If you look at both games against Buriram, I honestly think the results did not reflect what happened on the pitch because we were the better team for long periods,” said Mendez.
He said JDT are fully aware of the challenge awaiting them at the Chang Arena in Buriram today but insisted the squad are mentally prepared to overturn the deficit.
“In the second leg, we have to do more and control the smaller details, like defending our zones well, making sure their half chances are not converted into goals, and being clinical in the penalty box.
“We have to be decisive at both ends and we all know how important it is to reach the final of this competition.
“We want to turn this tie around and we are prepared for any situation.
“And yes, we want to score plenty of goals to overcome Buriram’s advantage.”
JDT head into the clash boosted by the return of prolific striker Bergson da Silva, who missed the first-leg defeat but made an emphatic comeback by scoring six goals against Kelantan in the Super League match on Sunday.
Mendez said Da Silva’s return has injected confidence into the squad, though he emphasised the responsibility in attack cannot rest solely on the Brazilian.
“It is nice to have Bergson back with us and we need his goals, for sure,” he said.
“The recent win against Kelantan gave us belief that we can be clinical, and his goals reinforced that feeling.
“We are happy to have him back, but not only him – the others also have to be strong in attack.”
Meanwhile, Buriram’s coach Mark Jackson said the team always have confidence in themselves, especially at home.
Buriram seized control of the tie after a commanding first-leg performance in Malaysia last week, with Brazilian striker Guilherme Bissoli scoring twice to earn Man of the Match honours and put the Thai League One champions within touching distance of another final appearance.
Jackson believes Buriram’s formidable home record and passionate support will give his side a significant edge in the return fixture.
“We have our fans behind us, so JDT will have to contend with that,” said Jackson, whose side are unbeaten in eight Shopee Cup matches at home.
The winners of the semi-final will advance to the two-legged final, scheduled for May 20 and 27.
