Johor Darul Ta’zim’s promising start to the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite hit a minor setback on Tuesday evening, but their first loss of the campaign did not dampen their spirits. The Malaysian champions suffered a 3-1 defeat against Gwangju FC at Yongin Mireu Stadium, with two early goals conceded in the opening six minutes proving costly.
Despite the sluggish start, JDT largely matched their opponents, who are currently setting the pace in the East Zone with a perfect record of three wins from three matches. The Southern Tigers’ valiant effort to get back into the game was personified by Feroz Baharudin, who atoned for his early lapse in concentration that led to Gwangju’s second goal by heading home from a corner to score his team’s sole goal.
Captain Natxo Insa Remains Positive
Speaking to reporters post-match, JDT captain Natxo Insa refused to be disheartened by the result, instead focusing on the positives from his team’s performance:
“It was hard conceding two goals early, but I think after ten minutes, the team reacted very well. We created a lot of chances and the first half could have finished 2-2. We are disappointed because these six minutes totally changed the game. We’ve done really well over the first three games and deserved at least one point today. But football is like this, life is like this. We must keep going to the end because, at this club, the owner TMJ is always about the fighting spirit. I think we showed the fight today.”
Natxo Insa, JDT Captain
Insa also suggested that JDT were impacted by an apparent disparity in yellow cards, with Gwangju receiving just one booking compared to JDT’s three in an increasingly scrappy encounter, particularly in the second half. However, the midfield maestro was quick to clarify that this was not an excuse for the defeat.
Coach Bidoglio Focuses on the Positives
Echoing his captain’s sentiments, JDT head coach Héctor Bidoglio chose to accentuate the positives rather than dwell on the loss. In his post-match press conference, the Argentine tactician expressed satisfaction with his players’ performance:
“It was a difficult game, but I liked the performance of my players. It’s important for me that, even after the opponents found it easy to score early on, we never lost our order or idea. We tried to keep the ball, move it, and in the first half, we were playing in the opponents’ half. But Gwangju are a very good team. This is the ACL Elite – very even, very difficult. We need to grow, focus on our playing and tactical behaviours, and see that in the next game.”
Héctor Bidoglio, JDT Head Coach
The loss leaves JDT in third place in Group G with 4 points from three matches. However, with five group stage games still to play, including the reverse fixture against Gwangju at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, the Southern Tigers have ample opportunity to get their campaign back on track and secure a spot in the knockout stages.
As the reigning Malaysia Super League champions continue their quest for continental glory, the unwavering belief and fighting spirit within the squad, as exemplified by Insa and Bidoglio, will undoubtedly serve them well in the challenges that lie ahead. JDT’s next ACL Elite fixture sees them host Japanese outfit Sanfrecce Hiroshima on April 25th, a crucial match in their bid to progress to the Round of 16.
With the passionate support of their fans and the guidance of their experienced coach, Johor Darul Ta’zim will look to bounce back stronger and showcase their quality on the Asian stage. As the tournament progresses, football enthusiasts worldwide will be keenly following the fortunes of this ambitious Malaysian side, eager to see if they can make their mark among the continent’s elite.
