ACLE: Southern Tigers To Treat Buriram Utd Return-leg Tie As Cup Final

ISKANDAR PUTERI, March 10 (Bernama) -- Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) will treat their 2024/2025 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite (ACLE) match against Thailand’s Buriram United at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium here tomorrow as if it were a Cup final.

JDT head coach Hector Bidoglio even described tomorrow’s round-of-16 return-leg match as the Southern Tigers’ "most important game of the season”.

The tie is evenly poised after JDT held Buriram United to a 0-0 draw in the first-leg match at the Buriram Stadium in Thailand on March 4.

“All the players are committed and we need to give 100 per cent for this game because it’s very important for us and our fans. Our goal is to continue to advance (to the quarter-finals) in the Champions League.

“Until now, we have had very good performances, but we need to continue winning every game. At home, it’s a different ball game... with our fans, at our field and in our stadium,” he said during the pre-match press conference at the stadium today.

JDT defender Matthew Davies acknowledged that Buriram United are a very good team but believes the Southern Tigers have the quality needed to get a win tomorrow.

“If we're honest, Buriram United are a good team but I believe in our approach, our players and our philosophy at the club. For Buriram United to come here and play in front of 35,000 fans and get a win is going to be very difficult... so, I'm confident of our team,” he said.

Meanwhile, Buriram United midfielder Kenneth Dougall does not expect his teammates to wilt under the pressure of playing at JDT's home ground.

“For us, the crowd won’t be a problem. Whenever we play away from our home ground, no matter where it is, in front of 50,000 or 1,000, we always aim for a win,” the Australian said.

The Thai side’s head coach, Osmar Loss Vieira, was also in a bullish mood ahead of tomorrow's showdown, saying he is confident that Buriram United can beat JDT and qualify for the quarter-finals.

“It's the third time these teams will be playing against each other, so we know each other's strategies. We need to be focused during tomorrow's match and follow the game plan,” the Brazilian said.

-- BERNAMA