Football: It’s a big headache for coach Hector but he’s smiling

PETALING JAYA: It looks like Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) coach Hector Bidoglio has a headache to choose his centreback trio for the match against Ulsan HD but he is fine with it.

With six top quality centrebacks at his disposal, the Venezuelan said he would be leaving it until the end to decide on the three when they take on the Korean side managed by Kim Pan-gon in the fourth match of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) East Zone at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri today.

In the ACLE, he has played the likes of Shane Lowry, Park Jun-heong, Eddy Israfilov and Feroz Baharuddin, with Jun-heong and Israfilov starting in all three matches.

Then he also has team captain Jordi Amat, who had one substitute appearance and Shahrul Saad, who has yet to make an appearance in the competition.

When asked who the Southern Tigers would play against Ulsan, Bidoglio said he would let his opponents play the guessing game.

“Feroz, Shane and Jordi are ready but I am still deciding on my eleven. I have a good squad,” said Bidoglio.

Stalwart: Park Jun-heong has started in all three JDT matches in the ACLE and is the top pick for the Ulsan match.— JDT

“Everyone wants to play in the Champions League games, so it is a headache, a good one I would say.

“All the players are available for the match, so I will only decide on game day,” said Bidoglio during the post-match press conference yesterday.

Amat, 32, who was also at the press conference, hopes he will be able to start against Ulsan.

“I do want to start but, the team plan comes first. I am actually returning to the game from an ankle niggle but it’s getting better now,” said the Indonesian international.

“I’m looking forward to getting back and helping the team. Ulsan are one of the best teams in South Korea. We respect them a lot. They are looking to survive. We are not looking at the table, we just want to do our best.”JDT are fifth in the ACLE standings with four points, while Ulsan are bottom of the 12-team table without a single point.

For the South Koreans, it is a must-win match if they want to salvage hopes of a top-eight finish but Bidoglio is more concerned about his team.

“We need to focus on ourselves and continue growing. The ACLE is tough but our performances have been good,” he said.

“We want to be in our opponent’s half, be dynamic and intense. Our performances are good, and we have focused a lot on recovery because we have been playing games continuously, but the boys are in good shape.

“We know Ulsan are a good side with strong players. I do not think about the coach (Kim Pan-gon) and his style.

“My mind is on my team. I work on improving the individual skills of my players and what the team can do. JDT are growing year by year, and we want to show that.”