PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) coach Xisco Munoz believes efficiency in the final third will be the decisive factor in their AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite match against Pohang Steelers today.
The Southern Tigers will take on the South Korean club at their Pohang Steelyard Stadium, after being held 1-1 by Thai side Buriram United in the opening game at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Sept 15.
Munoz said that the home hiccup against Buriram was a timely lesson as JDT seek their first win over Pohang in South Korea.
The Malaysian quadruple champions have yet to beat Pohang away, having lost two of their previous meetings.
“In the Champions League, the only difference is in the last third. You are stronger in defence and you have success in the forward line,’’ said the Spaniard.
“Against Buriram, you normally play 20 or 25 games domestically like that and you win, but the failure was in the last third in our last ACL game, hence the draw,” he said.
“We need to focus on that when we play Pohang. The team are ready and I’m happy with the level of performance, but people need to understand that when you play in the Champions League, it’s always a tough game.”
He also warned his players that their concentration cannot slip, even for a short period.
“We need full focus and attention, and we need to be ready for all situations, offensively and defensively.
“Some moments we have to control the game, some moments we lose control.
“But we need to be mature in all situations.”
Pohang are ninth in K League One with 40 points from 31 games, 25 points behind leaders FC Seoul.
Their key players include Brazilian leftback Wanderson de Oliveira, German attacking midfielder Jakob Tranziska, midfielder Kim Dong-jin and centreback Kim Ho-jin.
JDT, however, will arrive in Korea in superb form. They are unbeaten in all competitions this season, having won 10 of their 11 matches.
Their ranks include Colombian centreback Kevin Medina, who has UEFA Champions League experience, and Iranian striker Shahab Zahedi, who has 11 goals in all competitions.
Winger Arif Aiman Hanapi is also back to his best after missing all of last season with a hamstring injury.
JDT, however, will miss the services of Azerbaijani centreback Eddy Israfilov, who has been suspended for two matches after being sent off in the game against Buriram.
