Johor Darul Ta’zim skipper Safiq Rahim has been the heartbeat of the team that has dominated the Malaysia Super League for the last four years.

On Tuesday, his team face Muangthong United in the Second Preliminary Round for the second time in three years. The Thais were triumphant last time around as goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan performed heroics in the penalty shootout.

However, having overcome Bangkok United at the same stage in 2017, Safiq is confident that JDT are better prepared this year as they get set to meet a Muangthong side that has been weakened by the departures of Kawin and playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin.

Q: How are the team’s preparations for the upcoming clash with Muangthong United going?

Now, everybody is okay. We are ready for the qualifier against Muangthong. We know Muangthong are a good team and before this, we played against them in 2016. Now in 2018, it’s a different story, a different chapter, so we want to have a better result.

Muangthong United and Thailand striker Adisak Kraisorn had an injury-hit 2017, which restricted his participation in his side’s stirring run to the AFC Champions League Round of 16.

The Thai side now face Malaysian Champions Johor Darul Ta’zim in the Preliminary Round 2 for the second time in three years.

Victory would see Adisak and his teammates reach a play-off against Kashiwa Reysol for a place in the group stage, and an opportunity to repeat last year’s heroics.

For you personally, how important is it to play in the AFC Champions League group stage after getting very little game time in 2017?

Last year was very frustrating because I had a lot of injuries, so I really hope to get more of a chance this year.

But getting into the AFC Champions League is going to be tough. You have all the best teams and biggest stars in Asia, and everyone wants to prove themselves on this stage.

After helping Ceres Negros defeat Shan United in the AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 1, Philippines midfielder Kevin Ingreso joined the-AFC.com for an interview ahead of their Round 2 clash against Australia's Brisbane Roar.

Q: Hi Kevin, how're you feeling ahead of the game against Brisbane Roar on Tuesday?

I guess everyone is looking for new challenges and so am I. We are all excited to play these kind of games and we are looking forward to facing Brisbane Roar.

Q: This isn't the first time a Filipino team will travel to Brisbane at this stage in the competition. Just one year ago, Global FC made the same journey and it was a tough match for them, losing 6-0. What do you think Ceres can learn from that match and are there any preparations you can make?

I'm pretty sure that wasn’t the best game Global played. This is past but one or two of us, will probably get some tips or any pieces of information on a few players from Global - ones we know from the Philippines national team - and this will hopefully give us a little advantage. Our management and coaching staff will take care of what we have to know about them

Muangthong United vs Johor Darul Ta’zim

7:30pm, January 23

Supachalasai National Stadium, Bangkok

MUANGTHONG UNITED

It’s a time of change at the Thai giants, with their four superstars all signing for overseas clubs over the last six months – Chanathip Songkrasin, Theerasil Dangda and Theerathon Bunmathan all to Japan, and Kawin Thamsatchanan to Belgium – although both Teerasil and Theerathon will play in the preliminary rounds before departing for Japan.

That means it will be a largely new-look Muangthong United who host Johor Darul Ta’zim next week, and their headline signing has been that of former Buriram United striker Jajá, who found the back of the net 34 times last season.

Muangthong United hosted Johor Darul Ta’zim at the same stage in 2016, with the match ending 0-0 but the Thai side advancing after a 3-0 win in the penalty shootout. Having made the Round of 16 last year, coach Totchtawan Sripan will be hoping for a similar result next week.