PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim have found the right tonic before their first AFC Champions League Group I match against Kawasaki Frontale at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Sept 19.
The Southern Tigers took down Negri Sembilan 3-0 in the first-leg Malaysia Cup quarter-final game at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on Wednesday.
Brazilian striker Bergson Da Silva starred with two goals in the 28th and 90th minute, while winger Arif Aiman Hanapi got the first goal in the 20th minute.
JDT coach Esteban Solari, wanted his boys to give a response after their shock 3-3 draw against Kedah in the Super League on Aug 26.
“Important game for us after the 3-3 draw against Kedah in the last Super League game. It was a chance for us to come back and we tried hard for that these last two weeks,” he said.
“No excuses, the team performed well in the first-half. We scored three, and although I feel we could have scored more, I’m happy that we didn’t concede.”
Most importantly, they have some confidence before taking on Kawasaki in what has been billed as JDT’s toughest game of the season.
They finished second in the J-League last season and boast some top players like South Korean goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong, Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao, French striker Bafetimbi Gomis and Japanese international defender Miki Yamane.
“We were ready for this test nine months ago. The most competitive championship, involving all the champions around Asia. We have to put in our best performance.
“Kawasaki didn’t win the last game but they are a strong side. They will be tough, but that will only bring out the best version of us. We have to be focused.”
After the game against Kawasaki, they will take on Negri in the second-leg Malaysia Cup quarter-final at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Sept 23.
