It is “do or die” for Johor Darul Ta’zim. The Southern Tigers have touched down in Japan for a high-stakes AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 League Stage (East Zone) clash against Sanfrecce Hiroshima this Tuesday, knowing that anything short of a win could derail their dreams of reaching the knockout stages.
Currently perched in sixth place with eight points—a precarious one-point cushion above the qualification line—JDT faces a Sanfrecce side that can punch their ticket to the Round of 16 with a victory at the Hiroshima Soccer Stadium.
JDT head coach Xisco Munoz was clear during Monday’s pre-match press conference: his men must play with their hearts on their sleeves and their heads in the game.
“Players must maintain concentration throughout the match. Everyone has to give 100% commitment,” Munoz insisted. “We cannot show too much respect to the opposition. Instead, we must maintain our momentum, understand the rhythm of the game, and strive to play with a high-intensity tactical approach.”
The Spaniard also addressed the literal “elephant in the room”—the biting Japanese winter. “There is no denying the weather here is very cold, especially coming from Malaysia’s heat, but we must adapt. No excuses.”
Despite the tactical threat posed by Bartosch Gaul’s side, JDT defender Shane Lowry signaled that the Malaysian champions aren’t planning to park the bus in Hiroshima.
“There is no intention to play defensively,” Lowry declared. “We want to give our best. It will be a tough task, but we are aiming for a positive result. Everything depends on those 90 minutes.”
Credit Photo : JST
