Johor Darul Ta’zim will be getting their AFC Cup campaign underway against Cambodian side Boeung Ket Angkor FC, in what’s being billed as an extremely important fixture for Benjamin Mora and his men, given their recent form in the Malaysia Super League.
How is Benjamin Mora taking this?
This will not be easy task for Mora, who is handling AFC Cup preparations for the first time. Boeung Ket Angkor FC are the 2016 Cambodian league winners, and they have their magic weapon, 23-year old wonderkid Chan Vathanaka in the squad, in addition to captain Khuon Laboravy.
Nevertheless, Johor Darul Ta’zim are also league winners themselves, with their own lethal players, so Benjamin Mora is confident about the clash tonight and seems to have his game plan on track. His ultimate goal for tonight is to secure 3 points.
So what is his game plan?
“For the match tonight, I will not be playing Azammuddin Akil. He got injured during our match against Perak, so I’m going to replace him with Mahali Jasul.” Benjamin Mora told Berita Harian.
He also added that the defence line will have to be revamped, he would have to rest S.Kunanlan and Fazly Mazlan. Mora did not reveal names, but he already has two options for right back and left back in the squad. He will also be rotating players as he sees fit.
“It’s great that the match against Boeung Ket Angkor FC will be taking place at home at the Larkin stadium. Johor Darul Ta’zim will have the advantage because this will be John MacGylinn’s boys’ first bout for the AFC Cup.” Mora added.
“We’re not worried. We have done all the necessary preparations, and we also have our own weapons to use against them. We won’t be making any mistakes tonight.”
Mora has also watched Boeungket Angkor FC’s videos, and he admits that Boeung Ket’s captain Khuon Lavabory is quite lethal upfront. That is precisely why he will be making sure that Johor Darul Ta’zim are well prepared to face them tonight.
Can JDT reign supreme?
Both Johor Darul Ta’zim and Boeungket Angkor FC are league winners and have a solid squad. Boeung Ket Angkor FC may boast players like Chan Vathanaka and Khoun Laboravy, but Johor Darul Ta’zim also has a destructive front in the form of Gabriel Guerra, Gonzalo Cabrera, and Safiq Rahim. Fuelled by their 2-1 loss to Perak last week and equipped with Mora’s game plan, we think Johor Darul Ta’zim will work twice as hard to secure a win tonight.
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