KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) coach Xisco Munoz has called on his side to find their clinical edge when they face Pohang Steelers in Tuesday's Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) clash at the Pohang Steelyard.
Both sides enter matchday two seeking a turnaround after disappointing openers.
Pohang, three-time Asian champions from South Korea, were beaten 3-1 by Beijing FC, while the Southern Tigers were held to a 1-1 draw by Buriram United at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium last month.
Munoz warned his squad that controlling possession means nothing without sharp finishing in the final third.
"In the ACLE, the only difference is in the last third. Last season at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, we played well to beat Pohang Steelers 5-2 despite trailing 1-0. Now it is our turn to play at their home ground, which will certainly pose a tough challenge against a Korean club," said Munoz.
"In the ACLE, we must give our full focus and attention. We must be ready for every situation, both in attack and defence.
"It will be a tough and intense match, but we need 100 per cent focus and our best performance to record a positive result so we can stay competitive in the tournament."
The Spanish coach confirmed defensive midfielder Eddy Israfilov will miss the match as he serves a two-game suspension following a red card against Thailand's Buriram United on Sept 15.
However, Munoz expressed confidence in his squad's ability to contain Pohang's forward line.
"We must keep a strong mindset and work hard to achieve our goal. We came to South Korea to claim all three points, and the players must embrace this challenge even though it will be difficult," he said.
"There are two or three tactical setups the opposition might employ, particularly in attack, so we must be tactically solid to play safely and comfortably when attacking their defensive third while neutralising their dominance.
"We will see how the match unfolds. JDT always play with a winning mentality, and the 90 minutes on the pitch will decide everything," Munoz added.
Tuesday's clash marks the fourth continental meeting between the two teams.
While Pohang won their initial encounters in 2021 (4-1 and 2-0), JDT secured a 5-2 win during their most recent meeting in the 2024-2025 edition.
The hosts enter the match on a three-match losing streak in the ACLE, while JDT have struggled on the road, losing four of their last five away fixtures in the competition.
JDT reached the round of 16 in 2022 and 2024-2025, before achieving their best continental run last season (2025-2026) by reaching the quarter-finals, where they lost 2-1 to eventual champions Al-Ahli.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd