|
Johor Darul Ta'zim want nothing more than to go trigger happy when they kick start Group F of the 2017 AFC Cup against Cambodia's Boeung Ket Angkor at Larkin Stadium on Tuesday night. But Sports Director Alistair Edwards admits that scoring goals has been a problem for the 2015 AFC Cup winners, who will look for reinforcements in three months' time. "The issue we are facing is putting the ball in the back of the net," said Edwards via the Southern Tigers Facebook page. "We are unable to fix this issue at the moment, due to circumstances beyond our control, but rest assured, when the transfer window opens in May, this issue will be resolved." Mora's men have struck the back of the net only three times in the last four games, and hopes will once again rest on their attacking imports Gonzalo Cabrera and Brian Ferreira to produce the goals. The duo could be part of a front three, along with Ahmad Hazwan Bakri, to unlock the 2016 Cambodian League champions. Jeronimo Barrales is suspended after a straight red card against Bangkok United in an AFC Champions League qualifier on Jan. 31. JDT's inability to make inroads meant their proud 25-game unbeaten run in the Malaysia Super League ended with the 2-1 loss to Perak in the league last Saturday. They are in the AFC Cup after losing 3-0 to Gamba Osaka in an AFC Champions League playoff on Feb. 7. Their opening opponents Boeung would have staked a bigger claim for a result at Larkin should they have had the services of star player Chan Vathanaka. The nippy trailblazer, who impressed at the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup, is on loan to Japanese third-tier side Fujieda MYFC. After winning the AFC Cup in 2015, JDT picked up where they left off in the 2016 tournament, with an 8-1 demolition of Myanmar's Ayeyawady United. They would go on to reach the semifinals before being ousted by India's Bengaluru FC. Malaysia's other representatives Felda United, meanwhile, are in Singapore for a Group G clash against Tampines Rovers at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The Fighters will be eager to impress B. Satiananthan, who is all but confirmed to take over as coach of the 2016 MSL runners up. Satiananthan won't be overseeing this encounter as he prepares to replace Azmi Mohamed, who abruptly tendered his resignation last week. But his arrival could spark a revival at Felda, who will be hungry to pull their weight in this contest after a poor start so far. Tampines, who lost 2-0 to Philippines' Global FC in the ACL qualifier on Jan. 24, will be looking to capitalise on their opponents' early season slump, which has seen three consecutive losses. But the plastic pitch at Jalan Besar Stadium won't trouble Felda too much, who also play on an artificial surface at their Tun Abdul Razak Stadium.
|
