
JDT placed in Pot 1, a major boost for ACLE campaign
The 11-time consecutive Super League champions will share the top pot with J-League winners Vissel Kobe, South Korea's Ulsan HD, China's Shanghai Port, Thai champions Buriram United and Australia's Melbourne City.
Pot 2 features Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Machida Zelvia, South Korea's Gangwon and Seoul, and China's Shanghai Shenhua and Chengdu Rongcheng.
JDT will play eight matches — four home, four away — in the 12-team East Asia elite league, with the top eight teams advancing to the round of 16.
Last season, the Southern Tigers finished third in the East Asia League stage but crashed out in the last 16 after a 1-0 aggregate defeat to Buriram.
The new season kicks off next month and runs until April.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
JDT prepared to counter threat from Lion City in Asean Club clash
Looking forward: Jon Irazabal, who scored two goals in JDT's 5-3 win over Negri Sembilan in the Super League last week, is excited about the Lion City Sailors game. PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) are hoping to get their footing right when they take on Singapore's Lion City Sailors in their debut Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup campaign today at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. The Southern Tigers' coach Xisco Munoz is staying cautious against their opponents from across the Causeway, knowing the Sailors can be a tough opponent and are quick on the pitch. 'We have studied our opponents and we see how they play. They make good connections and good transitions,' said Munoz during the pre-match press conference. 'It'll be important for us to have good concentration when we have the ball because our opponents can be dangerous if we lose it. 'They have good players in the last third and they have speed. 'But in our mind we want to give a good performance and get the three points in the new competition,' he said. JDT defender Jon Irazabal, who scored two goals in the club's 5-3 win against Negri Sembilan in their Super League opener last week, is excited for the match against Lion City Sailors. 'It'll be a tough game against one of the big teams in South-East Asia, so I'm excited,' said Irazabal. 'All the players are ready to play against a big opponent. We have to be a step ahead to keep improving. 'We have a lot of new players, and we must understand each other better and what the coach is asking of us. 'We must try to penetrate better and work together. These are good exams for us to try and improve ourselves,' he said. Meanwhile, Lion City Sailors head coach Aleksandar Rankovic remains undaunted for their clash against JDT, despite the team having lost both their meetings against the Southern Tigers last year. The Asian Champions League Two (ACL2) runners-up will be looking to get a better start to their campaign this year in the Asean tournament after exiting at the group stage last season. 'We don't want a repeat of what happened last season. It's a tough position to be in where we start the first two matches away. 'But there's no reason for us not to play with full force and chase the win,' said the Serbian-born Rankovic.


New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Moraes scores as Selangor hold Asean champions Buriram
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor started their Asean Club Championship Group A campaign with a 1-1 draw against defending champions Buriram United at the Chang Arena on Wednesday. Brazilian striker Chrigor Moraes gave Selangor a 38th-minute lead against his former team before Peter Zulj scored a late equaliser for the Thais in the eighth minute of stoppage time. The Red Giants were expected to struggle against the Thai powerhouse. However, they managed to contain Buriram's attack, a result of Japanese coach Katsuhito Kinoshi's tactical plan. Moraes, 24, had a chance to score in the 25th minute but his shot went wide. However, he made it count in the 38th minute, beating goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom. Buriram almost found an equaliser in the 41st minute but Thanakrit Chotmuangpak's effort went wide, and the first half ended with Selangor holding a one-goal lead. In the second half, Buriram coach Osmar Loss brought on Suphanat Mueanta for Thanakrit and Peter Zulj for Phitiwat Sookjitthammakul to take control of the game. The changes gave Buriram more attacking power, but Selangor goalkeeper Kalamullah Al Hafiz denied them with several fine blocks. However, Zulj headed in the equaliser from a corner kick deep into stoppage time to share the points.


New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Sailors out to sink JDT in Causeway battle
KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore's Lion City Sailors insist they will not be overawed when they face regional giants Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the Asean Club Championship Group B clash at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Thursday. The Sailors suffered two defeats to JDT in friendlies last year — 4-0 in April and 1-0 in November — but coach Aleksandar Rankovic believes things will be different in a competitive setting. Rankovic, who guided his side to runners-up in the AFC Champions League 2 last season, is confident the Sailors are better prepared this time despite injury concerns. Captain Hariss Harun and defender Bailey Wright are both expected to miss out. "Last season we crashed out in the group stage, and of course, we don't want that to happen again," said the Serbian. "It's not easy as our first two matches are away, but that's no excuse. Tomorrow is the beginning of everything. "Friendlies don't mean anything — the squad and pressure are different. JDT always win big at home, they're one of the strongest clubs in the region, but we want to steal points." The Sailors head into the tie buoyed by their domestic double last season, winning both the Singapore Premier League and Singapore Cup. JDT, meanwhile, swept all before them in Malaysia, lifting the Super League, FA Cup, Malaysia Cup and Charity Shield. JDT coach Xisco Munoz is wary of his Causeway rivals but is confident of a strong start. Spanish winger Samuel Castillejo is the only injury doubt. "One of the most important things for me is how we start the game," said Munoz. "We need to give our best performance from the first minute to the last.