Cklamovski Hails JDT's ACL Elite Q-Final Feat An 'Epic Achievement’

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- National head coach Peter Cklamovski has described Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) progression to the quarter-finals of the 2025/2026 AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) as an "epic achievement” that reflects positively on Malaysian football.

He said the Southern Tigers’ 3-2 aggregate victory over Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the round of 16 underlined the club’s ability to compete with Asia’s top teams.

“Epic result for JDT! Well-deserved victory over two legs. Congratulations to all. Super result for Malaysian football,” he wrote on his Instagram Story.

JDT, who won the first leg 3-1, advanced to the last eight despite losing 1-0 in the return leg of the round-of-16 tie at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima yesterday, making it the best performance by a Malaysian club since the tournament was rebranded in 2023.

Joining JDT as representatives from the East Zone are Thailand’s Buriram United and two other Japanese clubs - FC Machida Zelvia and Vissel Kobe.

All four teams now await the outcome of the West Zone ties to determine their respective opponents in the next stage of the competition.

-- BERNAMA