JDT and Selangor carry Malaysia's challenge in Asean Club C'ships
Both clubs have been handed blockbuster opening fixtures.
Treble winners JDT, who swept the Malaysia Super League, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup last season, make their long-awaited debut in the regional competition with a Causeway clash against Singapore's Lion City Sailors at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Thursday (Aug 21).
The Sailors, fresh off their own domestic double, will be looking for redemption after failing to progress beyond the group stage last year.
On Wednesday (Aug 20), Selangor face an equally daunting task when they travel to Thailand to meet reigning champions Buriram United at the Chang Arena in Buriram.
The Thai giants are defending not only their regional crown – secured in a thrilling penalty shoot-out victory over Vietnam's Cong An Ha Noi in May – but also a domestic treble.
Selangor, runners-up to JDT in both league and cup competitions last season, will be making their first appearance on the South-East Asian stage.
The competition brings together the region's best, split into two groups of six.
Each club will play five matches in the group phase – either home or away – with the top sides advancing to the knockouts.
With JDT aiming to translate domestic dominance into regional glory and Selangor out to prove themselves on the region's biggest stage, all eyes will be on Malaysian clubs as the Asean Club Championships return for a highly anticipated second season.
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