KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) coach Hector Bidoglio is delighted that his team can compete against the continent's elite after hammering China's Shanghai Shenhua 3-0 in their Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) clash on Tuesday.
The Southern Tigers roared at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, with goals from Arif Aiman Hanapi (11th minute), Jorge Obregon (26th) and Juan Muniz (80th) sealing the win against the 2023 Chinese FA Cup champions.
JDT, who drew 2-2 with Chinese Super League champions Shanghai Port last month, now have four points and are provisionally second in the East Asia Zone standings after two matches.
Their next game will be an away clash against Gwangju on Oct 22.
The impressive win over Shenhua is a sign that JDT have the pedigree to be a force in Asian club football.
Venezuelan Bidoglio praised his team's brilliant display and lauded their confidence throughout the match.
"I'm very happy that the team won and secured three points, building on the one point earned away from home. We've now proven we can perform well in this tournament," Bidoglio said after the match.
"I'm very pleased because the players worked hard and kept running throughout the match. We played as a team, constantly moving the ball from left to right, proving we can play good football.
"Thank you to everyone involved in the club and to the supporters. The players brought joy to them with this victory, which is the result of their hard work.
"Every match is challenging because it's a long season. However, we have a strong team with a complete squad. Everyone considers themselves part of a family, and today we showed that we're improving in Asia."
Meanwhile, Shenhua coach Leonid Slutsky claimed his team's hectic schedule contributed to the heavy defeat.
The match against JDT was their sixth in 18 days.
The former Russia national coach hopes his team can bounce back in the remaining ACLE matches.
"It was unfortunate for us, but our opponents deserved the win. We need to be competitive in this tournament, but the players are not in optimal condition due to the congested schedule. Objectively, we could be better if we were in better shape," said Slutsky.
"We didn't play well, reacting one or two seconds too late, which gave space to JDT, especially Arif.
"It's not an individual fault but a flaw in our game.
"JDT have depth and can rotate players, unlike us.
"It's difficult to compete against a team that constantly moves the ball, but I hope we will rebound and deliver a better performance in the future."
The defeat leaves Shenhua in fifth place with three points.