Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dushanbe: Johor Darul Ta’zim coach Mario Gomez believes FC Istiklol’s past history and home advantage makes the Tajik side favourites going into Saturday’s AFC Cup final.
The two teams face off at Pamir Stadium for their debut appearance in the final of the AFC Cup, but Istiklol go into the game having claiming the AFC President’s Cup crown three years ago.
Johor, meanwhile, have qualified for the final of a continental competition for the first time in their history and their Argentinian coach feels that, coupled with Istiklol playing in front of their home fans, means Mubin Ergashev’s team will be hard to beat.
“Istiklol have experience of playing in AFC competitions but anything is possible in one game,” he said. “It is a final and we want to win it, but there’s no doubt that our opponents want to win as well.
AFC Cup Final: Key Statistics
AFC Cup 2015 - The Road to the Final: Johor Darul Ta'zim
“We’ve done a lot of good work in this competition and it is good for Malaysian football and it is important for the history of Malaysian football for us to achieve victory and win the title.”
Johor cruised through the group stages of the competition, topping Group F ahead of Hong Kong’s Kitchee after suffering just one defeat in their opening six games before seeing off Myanmar’s Ayeyawady United in the Round of 16.
Victory over South China in the quarter-finals and a semi-final walkover against defending champions Qadsia saw them become the first Malaysian side to reach the final of the AFC Cup and the first team from the nation to reach the deciding game in any AFC competition since Selangor lost in the final of the inaugural Asian Club Championship in 1967.
“I’m happy to be here for the final of the AFC Cup because both teams have travelled a long way to reach the final,” said Gomes.
“Istiklol is the best team in Tajikistan and they have shown in the AFC Cup that they can play very good football. They have good players and they have shown their great skills in the previous games in the tournament.
“Istiklol are a team that try to play with a lot of pressure and they are always attacking. Istkilol will play at home and I don’t know if that’s good but the fans will help them with the mental side.”
Photo: WSG