KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim's reliance on foreign players came under scrutiny after a Korean journalist questioned whether fielding eight or nine foreigners in the starting line-up was good for Malaysian football.
The question put JDT coach Xisco Munoz on the spot about the opportunities available to local players at a club that aims to compete with Asia's best.
The issue was evident in Tuesday's 2-0 Asian Champions League Elite victory over Pohang Steelers, with captain Arif Aiman Hanapi and goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Azmi Mohamed the only Malaysian-born players in JDT's starting line-up.
In contrast, Pohang, three-time Asian champions, started with six South Koreans, highlighting the difference in the two teams' local-talent selection for the continental fixture.
Munoz responded by pointing to the growth of Malaysian football, the potential of young players and the work being done at JDT's academy.
The Spaniard singled out 20-year-old Daniesh Amirruddin as a player with potential and highlighted the club's academy as part of its efforts to develop Malaysian talent.
He also cited JDT's demanding schedule and rotation policy, saying three or four Malaysian players feature in Asean Club Championship matches.
"Malaysian football is growing. They have very good young guys. We have one potential player in our squad who is 20 years old, it's Daniesh," said Munoz at the post-match press conference.
"I know how they are working at the JDT academy to try to improve. I think we are in a good way. We have very good Malaysian players in our squad."
"In the Shopee Cup (Asean Club Championship), three or four Malaysian players are playing. We try to rotate sometimes because we have a very difficult schedule. We have a very good squad and very good players."
The match at the Pohang Steelyard on Tuesday saw Brazilian forward Marcos Guilherme score twice after half-time to give JDT their first win of the campaign following a 1-1 draw with Buriram United in their opening match.
Pohang were reduced to 10 men in the 43rd minute when captain Jeon Min Gwang was sent off for bringing down Shahab Zahedi.
Guilherme broke the deadlock in the 49th minute before sealing victory with his second goal in the 89th.
JDT will next host Thai side Port FC at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Oct 27.
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