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Live streaming match jdt vs Global fc on 5 April 2017. Play at stadium manila, Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. Group F
Benjamin Mora’s side need a win to boost morale and secure progression in AFC Cup.
GLOBAL’S FORM
- Global 2 Tampines Rovers 0 (ACL)
- Brisbane Roar 6 Global 0 (ACL)
- Global 1 Magwe 0 (AFC Cup)
- Boeung Ket Angkor 0 Global 2 (AFC Cup)
- JDT 4 Global 0 (AFC Cup)
JDT’S FORM
- JDT 3 Pahang 2 (MSL)
- Magwe 1 JDT 1 (AFC Cup)
- JDT 4 UiTM 0 (FA Cup)
- JDT 4 Global 0 (AFC Cup)
- Pahang 3 JDT 1 (FA Cup)
Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) hope to regain their confidence when they take on Global FC on Wednesday.
Benjamin Mora’s side defeated Global 4-0 on March 14 in Johor Bahru but things will not be easy this time as the Manila-based club’s Japanese coach Toshiaki Imai wants revenge to leapfrog the Malaysian side in the standing.
JDT’s unbeaten seven-match streak in all competitions ended last Saturday when they were made to look like an average side in the 3-1 defeat to Pahang in the quarter-final first leg match of the Malaysia FA Cup.
The Philippines champions are fresh and injury-free while JDT had only one day to recover before they travelled to Manila on Monday.
Mora needs to relook his team’s line-up and maybe put in fresh legs in order for a favourable result.
“I need to assess my players’ condition before I decide my lineup. Some could still be tired from Saturday’s Malaysia FA Cup tie.
“The players need to forget about the defeat to Pahang and respond immediately on Wednesday.
“Our aim is three points against Global as a third AFC Cup win will put us on a brink of reaching the last-16 stage,” said Mora.
JDT will advance to the last 16 if they beat Global provided that the match between Myanmar’s Magwe and Cambodia’s Beoung Ket Angkor in Yangon ends in a draw.
Mora’s side leads the group with seven points, one more than Global, followed by Beoung Ket (three points) and Magwe (one point).
In the post-match conference after the 4-0 defeat to JDT last month, Imai promised his team will get their revenge in Manila.
“We were poor in dealing with JDT’s attack and also did not play to our tactics. I think there was pressure but we will be a different side when we hosts them in Manila,” said Imai after the match.
TEAM NEWS
JDT’s Darren Lok is unavailable as the English-born striker is still trying to regain his fitness following a broken leg.
Right-back S. Kunanlan is also doubtful as he has only just returned from a minor injury.
But their absence is not a problem for Mora as he has enough resources on the bench.
However, Mora fears the artificial pitch at Rizal Memorial Stadium could affect his team’s performance.
“I do not like artificial pitches. The team have been rotating their training sessions on both artificial and grass pitches and I hope things will be okay on Wednesday,” said Mora.
Mora is expected to make several changes from the 3-1 defeat to Pahang by starting Farizal Marlias between the posts and reinstalling Nazmi Faiz Mansor in midfield while Gabriel Guerra could be shifted from midfield to the flanks.
Global have foreign signings in Japan’s Shu Sasaki, Brazil’s Wesley Santos, Trinidad & Tobago’s Darryl Roberts and Germaine Agustien of the Netherlands, and also five heritage players from various countries.
KEY BATTLE: GABRIEL GUERRA (JDT) VS WESLEY SANTOS
Guerra is effective in any attacking position but his game of late has been slightly off track. Yet, the Argentine will be a menace if he regains his form.
The 24-year-old is skillful and also not afraid to take on defenders but his character and effectiveness will be severely tested as he will definitely be marked by Global throughout the match.
Centre-back Santos will play a critical role along with Amani Aguinaldo in keeping JDT at bay.
The Brazilian is tough to outwit on his day with his excellent reading of the game and if he plays well then JDT’s attacking players in Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, Guerra and Gonzalo Cabrera will have a tough time in getting the goals.
FACTS AND FIGURES
- Safiq Rahim is JDT’s leading scorer in the AFC Cup with two goals.
- JDT are the highest scoring team in the AFC Cup with eight goals after three rounds.
- Global conceded a total of 10 goals in two matches but did not let in any in three matches this season.
FOURFOURTWO’S PREDICTION
The artificial pitch and fatigue are elements that could affect JDT’s performance but if they can overcome the adversities then a win will be possible.