Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Johor Bharu: There is little room for error for defending AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta’zim and opponents South China as they face off in their AFC Cup quarter-final second leg clash at Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium on Tuesday.
Nicola Komanzec’s injury time goal cancelled out a first-half opener from Jorge Pererya Diaz as the teams settled for a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Mongkok Stadium last week.
Johor head coach Mario Gomez is under no illusions when it comes to the magnitude of the task facing the Malaysian champions as they seek a second successive semi-final appearance.
“To get a draw in the first leg is good, but we are not in the semi-finals yet,” said the Argentinean. “For us, we cannot afford any big mistake tomorrow.”
The hosts boast a formidable record in Larkin this season. They have won all four of their AFC Cup home matches by at least three goals and are unbeaten in all competitions there in 2016.
Gomez is hoping his men can maintain that winning mentality at home.
“We won three (back-to-back) league titles there, so our mentality is to win,” said the coach. “We must play the same way and adopt the same fortress mentality as we did in the first half in Hong Kong.”
Looking to put a blemish on that perfect record are South China, who are hoping to reach the AFC Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2009.
The Hong Kong giants have delivered when they needed results most in Asia this season. They defeated Indian side Mohun Bagan 3-0 away in their final group game to secure their place in the knockout round.
This was followed by a 1-0 win over Philippine side Ceres La Salle after extra time in their round of 16 fixture. Head coach Ricardo Rambo is hoping they can make a three-peat this time.
“The experiences we gained playing away to get results in India and the Philippines helped us a lot,” said the Brazilian.
With Johor’s formidable scoring record in Larkin, he knows his side have to find a way through if they are to stand a chance to avenge last year’s defeat at this stage of the tournament.
“To draw 0-0 is not good enough, we have to find a way to score,” he said. “The difference is JDT play at home and have a good advantage.
“We have to focus in getting our mentality right tomorrow, as we are in an exceptional position to do something at this stage.”
The winners of this quarter-final clash will face either Tampines Rovers of Singapore or Indian champions Bengaluru in the semi-finals.
Photo: Lagardère Sports