JDT need a win in the final AFC Cup group match against Magwe to secure the ticket to the next stage of the competition
For the first time in three seasons participating in the AFC Cup, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) goes into the final match of the group stage still unsure of their qualification to the knockout stage of the competition. In 2015 and 2016, JDT top their group at a canter leaving the last group match as a dead rubber - not so much the case in 2017.
Much of the reason stems from the very team that they are going to face on Wednesday, in their final group match. On early March, JDT traveled to Yangon to play Magwe FC in Day 2 of the group stage and a much-changed side could only managed a 1-1 draw with the Myanmar side.
With Philippines' Global FC as the main challenger for the group winner prize, JDT and Global traded blows but the Southern Tigers have a better goal difference compared to their counterpart. What separated the two was the two weeks ago, Global managed to get all three points from their away encounter against Magwe.
JDT looked out of sorts in their last match, that 2-1 win over Penang in the Super League. Whether it is just lethargy or players still feeling the effect of being knocked out of the FA Cup by Pahang - Benjamin Mora will have to get it sorted for this important Magwe match.
The 2015 AFC Cup champions have a simple objective, win and they will not need to care for the permutations surrounding the other two groups. A draw or worse, a defeat - could put a real dent in their ambitions of reaching another continental cup final
Mora is likely to keep an eye on the weekend fixture against Melaka United and with that in mind, should sought to make changes to his usual XI. A completely different team like the one he put out in Yangon is unlikely but key players could still be rested.
There would be the matter of possible suspensions that Mora have to take into account when selecting his team. Marcos Antonio, Fazly Mazlan, R. Gopinathan, Mahali Jasuli, S. Chanturu and Fadhli Shas are on a single caution and picking up another against Magwe would mean that tally being carried over to the knockout stage.
There's also the question of when to integrate Hazwan Bakri back to the playing side. He has been seen rejoining the training sessions at JDT and his absence due to injury was a crucial blow to the side.
Playing at home at the Tan Sri Hj Hassan Yunos Stadium and at a kick-off time that is familiar, JDT holds all the advantage going into this final group match. Mora could also go for a strong start with his best XI and look to rest players after securing a comfortable lead.
All things points towards another season in the knockout stage for Johor Darul Ta'zim, albeit more belatedly than usual.
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