MANILA, Philippines - Pacesetting Global FC looks to sustain its hot start in the AFC Cup tonight in a challenging away match with former champion Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia at Stadium Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Yunos in Johor Bahru.
Fresh from a pair of victories over Magwe of Myanmar (1-0) and Beoungket Angkor of Cambodia (2-0), the Philippine club stakes its streak and hold of the Group F lead at 8:45 p.m. against a JDT side raring to take the three points after getting forced to a 1-1 standoff last time by Magwe.
“It will be a tough game especially with the big crowd. Johor is a strong team; I know they’re one of the strongest teams in Southeast Asia but we’re determined to beat them to stay top of the table,” said Global skipper Misagh Bahadoran.
The national mainstay said considering the circumstances, there’s more pressure for JDT, a club that won the tourney in 2015.
“They’re the ones under pressure, they need more points and they expect to win because this is their home. We’ll do our best to get the three points because every point counts in this tournament,” said Bahadoran.
“This is an important game and we’ll give everything we have,” said JDT coach Benjamin Mora.
The Southern Tigers have not lost an AFC match in Johor Bahru, winning 10 times and drawing twice since 2015.
“We always have a winning championship mentality that does not permit us to lower the bar,” Mora said.