SAITAMA: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) may be without equal in Malaysian football, but at Asian Champions League (ACL) level, they are out of their depth.
And JDT head coach Héctor Bidoglio accepted that his side lost to a superior team in the last 16 on Friday.
Urawa Red Diamonds, two-time winners of the ACL, outclassed JDT 5-0 in Saitama, Japan.
"We knew it was going to be a difficult game but we tried to play our style," said Venezualan Bidoglio.
"However, Urawa are a very good and competitive side. We tried to break their intensity by keeping the ball, but they scored through a penalty and then a free-kick, and it became very difficult for us."
Having reached the ACL last 16 for the first time, fans of the Southern Tigers had high hopes that they would go on another great run.
But Bidoglio admitted that JDT still have much to do to compete at Asia's top level.
"We are happy with the performance of the team, they gave their best. We know we have quality players, but we must improve as a team.
"We saw how Urawa play and if we want to do well in the ACL, this is the level we must achieve," added Bidoglio.
Urawa coach Ricardo Rodriguez said: "We had a good start, played great football to lead 3-0 at half time. This shows we are going in the right direction. It was a bit more difficult in the second half but we scored two more and kept a clean sheet.
"I said before the match that we were going to play a very strong team who had not only finished top of their group but had denied Kawasaki Frontale, so I'm pleased that we played our best."
On Friday, it took only one punch for JDT to start on the wrong footing against Urawa. As early as the seventh minute, during a scramble after a corner, JDT keeper Farizal Marlias jumped high and tried to punch the ball away. He missed it and punched Yusuke Matsuo instead. In the ensuing penalty, Alexander Scholtz sent Farizal the wrong way.
Urawa's second goal was also from a set piece. After JDT's Matthew Davies conceded a foul just outside the box, David Moberg's swerving freekick hit the net in the 19th minute.
Moberg again was the scourge of JDT in the 39th minute, smashing home a close range shot.
Urawa netted again in the 84th and 90th minutes through a double by substitute Kasper Junker.