Hector Bidoglio, Head coach of Johor Darul Ta’Zim, emphasized the match’s importance, urging his squad to rise to the occasion after back-to-back defeats against Gwangju FC and Shandong Taishan. At the pre-match press conference, the Argentinian tactician underlined the team’s commitment to delivering a top-tier performance.
Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) came down with a big mission to defeat Thailand’s champions, Buriram United in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 League Stage(East Zone) tomorrow.
“Tomorrow, we face a challenging game. JDT needs to focus on teamwork and execute our strategy with 100 percent intensity. Our goal is clear—we must secure three points,” Bidoglio declared.
Bidoglio also stressed that JDT must maintain their philosophy of dynamic and high-intensity football, particularly with the advantage of playing at home.
“We are a growing club with a strong philosophy, and we aim to display it on our home ground. At JDT, every match is treated as a final, and this one is no exception,” he added.
JDT started their ACLE campaign on a positive note but now faces mounting pressure after consecutive losses. Despite their struggles, the Southern Tigers have shown glimpses of their competitive edge, with Bidoglio praising his players’ ability to rise to challenges throughout the tournament.
Currently sitting fifth in the group with seven points, JDT is tied with Buriram United, who are in ninth place. The match provides both teams with a golden opportunity to climb the standings and stay in contention for the knockout phase.
The Sultan Ibrahim Stadium is expected to be a fortress for JDT as they capitalize on their passionate fanbase and familiar surroundings. Bidoglio expressed confidence that the players would relish the atmosphere and deliver under pressure.
“This is an important tournament, and while the players know the stakes, they also enjoy the competition. We’re focused on taking it one game at a time, starting with tomorrow,” he said.
The showdown between JDT and Buriram United kicks off at 8:00 PM on December 3, 2024. Both teams are evenly matched, and the outcome could prove decisive in their bid to progress beyond the group stage.
Credit Photo : JST
