KUALA LUMPUR: It's the clash of the best of Chinese Super League (CSL) and the Malaysian Super League (MSL) when Shanghai Port host Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in their Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) opener at the Pudong Stadium tomorrow.
Defending champions Shanghai hold a two-point lead in the CSL with five matches remaining while JDT are three clear of the summit as they chase an 11th consecutive domestic league title.
Shanghai, nicknamed the Red Eagles, skippered by Brazilian Oscar, boast South American flair with midfielders Matheus Jussa and Leo Cittadini, while their attack is led by Brazilians Gustavo Sousa and Willian Popp as well as Argentine striker Matias Vargas.
The Latin flair could cause headache to any teams, but Southern Tigers coach Hector Bidoglio said they will just focus on their own performance rather than be overawed by their opponents, and the competition is important for the Malaysian champions.
"It's an important game and cup, JDT is a club that is improving day by day, we have a great responsibility to show that. We have a very good squad and very good players and I have trust in the players, they work very well," said Venezuelan Bidoglio in the pre-match press conference.
"We have analysed the team, we know that they are a better team, they have good players but we need to fully focus on ourselves.
"We need to continue growing, and continue our focus on our potential.
"At this moment, Shanghai are the best team in their league and JDT are the best in our league. We need to show our potential and fully focus on ourselves."
Shanghai will be eager to mark their first appearance on the continental stage since 2020 with a win, and will be banking on their solid track record when playing continental matches at home — unbeaten in 20 games — to power them past in what will be a first meeting with the Malaysian side.
JDT will be eager to kick off their ACLE campaign with a win as they aim to make a return to the knockout stage after having done so in the 2022 edition of the AFC Champions League.
JDT skipper Jordi Amat said they need to bring their best game against the best team
in China.
"Tomorrow is going to be a tough game, we are going to play the best team in China right now. We need our best performance to win the game, looking forward to starting the competition," said the Indonesian international.
Last season, JDT failed to progress past the group stage, but they feel the new ACLE format gives them a strong chance of advancing to the next round of the competition.
The East region league will see the top eight teams from the 12-team league progress to the last 16.