Mario Gomez will have a clear-cut opportunity to tinker with his squad when they take on Balestier Khalsa in the final group match of the AFC Cup, tonight.
The Southern Tigers have already secured qualification into the next round and while a victory will confirm their status as group winners, the match also presents a unique opportunity for the new head coach to test his idea and philosophy for the team, before they go on an extended break due to the SEA Games and World Cup qualifiers.
Undoubtedly though, the AFC Cup seems to have been a platform of comfort for JDT, as their inconsistency in the league hasn’t stopped them from running rampant regionally. 4 wins and one single defeat; a no mean feat for a team that’s making its debut in the competition.
Balestier Khalsa though, will be gunning for nothing but pride. They are out of the equation, as far as the knockout stages are concerned, but even Amri Yahya echoed the idea that Balestier’s quest for salvaging dignity will complicate the match for JDT.
“Balestier are going to try to salvage some pride by beating us. We need to be careful with our attacking moves and not leave space for their counter-attacking moves. We also need to be focused and not be too over-confident,” he told The Star.
The S.League side have been doing well in the league this season, though they will head into this match on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Warriors over the weekend. The defeat though, was largely frustrating because their excellent performance failed to help them take something out of the match.
Mario Gomez’s side on the other hand, have had a one week rest from their last Super League match, which was a narrow 1-0 win over Felda United. And their confidence will high heading into this game, knowing that they have not been defeated at home for a considerable amount of time.
“We might be in a comfortable position now but it’s not enough … topping the group will give us a massive boost heading into round of 16. We have a good record at home so must capitalise on it,” Amri added.
The match will kick off at 8.35 PM later tonight, and should JDT secure a win in this one, they will confirm their progression into the next stage as group winners.
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