Xisco Muñoz “Every Match in ACL Elite is like Final”

Xisco Muñoz described Port’s rise as unexpected. Božidar Bandović’s side played in the AFC Champions League Two last season and have stepped up to the AFC Champions League Elite this term, and Muñoz said they have real quality of their own.

“The most important thing is for us to keep our positive momentum. But we need to understand that every match in the ACLE is like a final. Our opponents are currently top of the Thai League, and it is not an easy task,” he said.

The Spaniard rejected the idea that Port’s lack of points makes them an easy opponent. “Even though Port FC lost to Vissel Kobe and Kashiwa Reysol in their previous matches, that doesn’t reflect their real strength. They were up against big Japanese clubs who compete at the highest level,” he said.

Muñoz said JDT have several ways to build their play. “We have many ways to build an effective game structure. We expect Port FC to play in a low block, but the intensity of the game can change if we score an early goal, and the JDT players are ready for the full 90 minutes.”

JDT will be without centre-back Eddy Israfilov, who misses the second game of a two-match ban after his red card against Buriram. Shane Lowry, Brad Tapp and Feroz Baharudin are among the options to replace him. Port coach Bandović has said his side will be without Kaka Mendes and Matheus Lins.

JDT arrive in form after beating DPMM FC 2-0 in the first leg of their FA Cup semi-final on October 23. Bergson da Silva opened the scoring that night, and he has 10 goals and three assists in 11 appearances in all competitions this season.

Credit Photo : JST