Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Thanyaburi: Bangkok Glass coach Ricardo Rodriguez paid tribute to his players after a fine 3-0 victory over Johor Dazul Ta'zim in a play-off for the 2015 AFC Champions League group stage on Tuesday and warned next week's opponents Beijing Guoan to expect a tough game.
The winner of that tie in the Chinese capital will progress into the tournament proper and the Thai FA Cup holders will take confidence from their convincing win over the Malaysian champions.
A spectacular first-half strike from Narong Jansawek put Bangkok on their way and Lazarus Kaimbi's second half brace sealed the victory that would have been even more convincing had Darko Tasevski not missed a late penalty.
“It was a very good game,” said Rodriguez, who held a number of positions for the Saudi Arabia Football Federation including technical advisor to the senior team and head coach of the U-17’s prior to leaving the Gulf kingdom for a second stint at Spanish side Girona midway through 2013.
“There was some pressure early but after we scored, the players became calm and played much better.
"We scored three goals and could have scored more. We controlled the game really well and I am very happy with the players. This is a good step for us. We want to go far in this competition. It is a good competition."
The trip to a wintry Beijing will provide a different test against a traditional powerhouse of the Chinese game.
“We will have chances and they will have chances,” said the Spaniard who has been with the club for two months.
“We know we have to play well to win there. The players have to believe that we can win there and if we don't believe that, then we won't. Tonight was a good step but the second step will be a little bit more difficult but we will go to Beijing fighting.”
Johor coach Bojan Hodak admitted that his team had been deservedly defeated.
“This is the first time for a Malaysian team playing in the AFC Champions League and we can look for many excuses - missing five players and the artificial pitch - but the truth is we are not yet good enough to compete at this level,” said the Croatian.
“We need more games like this. Tonight was a very one-sided game and Bangkok Glass were better. I want to congratulate them.”
Hodak believes that this defeat will not damage confidence for the just-started Malaysian season or their participation in this year’s AFC Cup.
“We need to forget about this game and focus on the next," he said. "I don't think this will affect us too much. This is the first time for a Malaysian team to play at this stage so there was not much pressure and we just wanted to see how far we can go.”
Photo: Dz Dzulfahmie