Xisco Expects Tough Test at Pohang as JDT Chase First League-Stage Win

Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) head coach Xisco Muñoz has warned his players to expect a tough night at the Pohang Steelyard on Tuesday, as the Southern Tigers go in search of their first win in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 league stage (East Zone).

The Matchday 2 clash against Pohang Steelers kicks off at 7:00pm local time (6:00pm Malaysia time) on 13 October, with both sides still waiting for their first win of the campaign. JDT were held 1-1 by Buriram United at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on 15 September, when Oscar Arribas put them ahead in the 26th minute and Stefan Schimmer levelled before halftime. Bergson's 87th-minute penalty was saved, and JDT finished the night with ten men after Eddy Silvestre Israfilov was sent off in the 90th minute, even though Buriram had played the last half hour a man down after captain Ken Dougall's red card. Pohang, meanwhile, opened their campaign with a 3-1 defeat away to Beijing Guoan.

"Tomorrow, we are sure we have a tough game because we know exactly what they are doing," Xisco told the pre-match press conference. The Spaniard said JDT will give everything in every phase of the game, but singled out Pohang's speed through the lateral channels as something the team must keep under control. He added that the South Koreans are a difficult side and that a positive result is important for JDT as they look to make progress in the competition.

Asked for his view on Korean football and how JDT had prepared for the opposition, Xisco acknowledged that Pohang are not enjoying their best moment right now, but insisted they remain a physically strong team with very good speed whenever they find space to run. "It's not easy to come here and to have this 90-minute duel," he said, adding that the match will be decided by a series of individual duels that demand a big physical capacity.

Player Dejan Petrovic echoed his coach's caution. "We know how important and difficult tomorrow's game is," he said, promising that the squad will do their best to bring back a good result. Petrovic admitted the team was disappointed not to take all three points in the opening game against Buriram, but said the focus now is on putting in a good performance.

On the opposition, Petrovic said JDT already knew that Korean players are strong physically and play fast football, so the team had analysed Pohang with the aim of denying them space, and will shape tomorrow's approach around that. "I think it's not an easy game," he said, "but we will try to make a good result."

Pohang finished fourth in the K League 1 last season but have struggled for consistency this term. They sit ninth on 40 points after a 3-0 defeat away to Incheon United on 9 October, and have won just one of their last six matches, including the loss in Beijing. The Steelers are led by head coach Park Tae-ha.

JDT have the better recent record against the Koreans. They won 5-2 at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in February 2025, in the last league-stage meeting between the two sides, a result that ended Pohang's campaign that season. Last season JDT became the first Malaysian club to reach the ACLE quarter-finals, where they lost to Al-Ahli.

Xisco has also called on his side to find a clinical edge in front of goal. The squad flew to South Korea after completing their FA Cup quarter-final tie with Penang FC, which they won 11-3 on aggregate to reach the semi-finals, with young talent Daniesh Amirruddin in the travelling party.

Credit Photo : JST