Interim Coach Ismail Hoping For A Good Outcome Against East Bengal

27 April, 2015



PETALING JAYA: Interim coach Ismail Ibrahim has been tasked to take Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) to the last 16 of the AFC Cup.

JDT face India’s East Bengal at the Yuba Bharati Stadium in Kolkata in a Group F match on Tuesday needing just a point to seal a last-16 berth.

Former international Ismail is filling in for new coach Argentine Mario Gomez, who will only start work on Friday. The Johor Football Association (JFA) relieved Croatian Bojan Hodak of coaching duties last Saturday.

JDT lead the group with nine points after four matches. Kitchee of Hong Kong are second on seven points followed by East Bengal (4) and Singapore’s Balestier Khalsa (3).

JDT, however, will be without Brazilian centreback Marcos Antonio who picked up a hamstring injury in the 2-1 defeat to Perak in their Super League match last week.

The injury to Antonio has left JDT with only two foreign players – Argentine striker Luciano Figueroa and Singapore midfielder Hariss Harun – available for the match.

“I need to reshuffle the backline due to Antonio’s injury, but I have yet to decide on his replacement.

“I don’t think the players are under pressure following our defeat to Perak. They are eager to bounce back and I hope they can display a consistent performance,” said Ismail.

Ismail believes JDT will secure their fourth win in the group. Earlier in the first meeting with East Bengal, JDT cruised to a 4-1 win at the Larkin Stadium.

“We want full points from this match to finish top of the group. Finishing first will allow us to play the last-16 first leg at home,” said Ismail.

Sumber - K. Rajan, Star Online www.thestar.com.my