Football: It’s a cloak-and-dagger game

PETALING JAYA: Korean Kim Pan-gon was all smiles on his return to Malaysia after four months.

The former national coach is in Johor to lead K-League 1 champions Ulsan HD against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the fourth match of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) East Zone at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri today.

The match would surely invoke many fond memories for Pan-gon as the Malaysian fans used to admire him while he was leading the team here and he also had worked with the majority of the JDT players who donned the national colours during his tenure as Harimau Malaya coach from 2022 to 2024.

Pan-gon says his team will not show any mercy when they clash against JDT and his eyes will be on one particular player – winger Arif Aiman Hanapi. The 22-year-old has been outstanding during the ACLE.

“I am proud of Arif. He has showed his quality to Asia. He will be stronger than before,” said Pan-gon.

“He is maturing well and soon he will be one of the top players in Asia. I hope people will back this player to realise that ambition.”

On playing against Malaysia, Pan-gon said: “I’m excited to see the fans here and all the national players, whom I love. But Ulsan will not step back and aim to be competitive to produce an exciting game for everyone.

“I know very well how strong JDT are at home. It is their fortress. It will not be easy for any team who come here. We are aware of how tough it can be.”

Despite their domestic dominance, Ulsan HD had struggled in the continental stage.

They are the K-League 1 champions for the third straight time and will go for the domestic double when they take on Pohang Steelers in the Korean FA Cup on Nov 30.

But in the ACLE, they have lost their first three matches against Kawasaki Frontale (1-0), Yokohama F Marinos (4-0) and Vissel Kobe (2-0).

And Ulsan do not have a good record against JDT.

Out of the four games they have played against JDT, Ulsan have only won once, which was a 3-1 win in the ACL Group I match last year. The other three games ended in defeats.

In 2022, Ulsan lost both their group games 1-2 against them, and last year they lost 1-2 in the final match of Group I.

“Our last three results have not been good, which makes me nervous. JDT have a good preparation in this competition and have fully utilised the rules given by AFC,” said Pan-gon.

Under the rules, a team can use unlimited number of foreigners.

“They showed their seriousness, which is a usual thing. That is why you see so many quality players at their disposal.

“I do not see much difference in terms of play because they are always aggressive and play high pressing game. But their quality players are much better than before.

“But we are here to compete and give our best to keep our hopes alive of finishing top eight in the ACL Elite.”

JDT are fifth in the standings with four points, while Ulsan are bottom of the 12-team table without a single point.