Munoz hails tactical mastery against Svay Rieng

JOHOR BARU: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) head coach Xisco Munoz described his team's emphatic victory over PKR Svay Rieng—in the Asean Club Championship (ACC) Group B match at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Thursday as truly worthwhile.

The Spanish coach said tactical planning, based on an analysis of Matthew McConkey's squad's playing style, clearly impacted the performance of the JDT players, who dominated the match for 90 minutes.

"Our analysis clearly showed that the opposing team was playing very differently compared to last season, and we were prepared to face them when they employed man-to-man marking and attempted to stifle JDT's midfield movement.

"The opposition had a defensive midfielder who was quick to intercept our plays, especially in the first half.

"However, we managed to overcome this and control the game in the second half because our players understood when to slow down the tempo and when to move the ball more quickly.

"As a result, our players know how to move into open spaces, and the attacking line coordinates well. For instance, when one player receives the ball, another makes a run behind the opposing defence.

"What is also interesting is our ability to operate through the middle or deliver passes into the space behind the opposition's defence. This makes the tactical execution smoother and allows our players to move freely," he said.

Meanwhile, the Man of the Match, Marcos Guilherme, was clearly delighted with the Southern Tigers' victory. He admitted he did not expect to be named the best player and expressed gratitude to Munoz for trusting him to play.

"I am truly thrilled to have won that match. I frequently discuss ways to improve my game quality with coach Munoz during training sessions, and the result is that I am able to make a positive impact on my teammates.

"I joined JDT to help the club, and I intend to work even harder by giving 100 per cent commitment, not just during matches but also in training. The domestic and international league campaigns are long, requiring both physical and mental resilience," Guilherme said