AFC Champions League Elite
The Spaniard expressed satisfaction at how JDT competed against the reigning champions on their home turf at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Munoz also revealed that stricken forward Jairo - who got a kick to the face that resulted in Al Ahli’s Ali Majrashi being shown the red card - was not in harm’s way.
Munoz also revealed that stricken forward Jairo - who got a kick to the face that resulted in Al Ahli’s Ali Majrashi being shown the red card - was not in harm’s way.
#ACLElite | Quarter-finals : Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 2-1 Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)
“I want to say thank you to our players because I know how hard they are working everyday to improve and always move forward,” said Munoz. “Congrats to the opponents, they had more quality in the final third but we competed and were always in the game.
“Jairo is well and in the hospital, it’s important for us to share this message for his family. We are sad but we will try to work hard and push ourselves again next season because it’s important to understand how we can do better.”
“Jairo is well and in the hospital, it’s important for us to share this message for his family. We are sad but we will try to work hard and push ourselves again next season because it’s important to understand how we can do better.”
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
The Malaysian champions got off to a fantastic start through Majrashi’s own goal in the 19th minute but Al Ahli - despite having gone down to 10 men - equalised before the break thanks to Franck Kessie’s powerful header. Galeno’s wonder strike then left JDT with too much to do as Al Ahli advanced.
The Malaysian side’s inability to maintain focus in crucial moments were a negative on the day for Munoz as the 45-year-old said improvements are needed ahead of the 2026/27 season.
“We didn’t control the important moments. We need to mature a little and not concede before half-time. If we had maintained the score until the break, everything could change. But because we lost an important player like Jairo, we lost a bit of power in the last third."
The Malaysian side’s inability to maintain focus in crucial moments were a negative on the day for Munoz as the 45-year-old said improvements are needed ahead of the 2026/27 season.
“We didn’t control the important moments. We need to mature a little and not concede before half-time. If we had maintained the score until the break, everything could change. But because we lost an important player like Jairo, we lost a bit of power in the last third."
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
“I’m not disappointed because we know how difficult it is to play against such a solid defence. We tried to make some transitions in the last line but their players did well.
“We tried to control the moment and change with strikers. We tried to find solutions but their full-backs were better than our wingers and we couldn’t penetrate in the middle either. They were compact and made it difficult for us.
“We conceded the first one from a set-piece and the second one was a great goal. The difference was that their keeper stopped our shots and we didn’t.”
“We tried to control the moment and change with strikers. We tried to find solutions but their full-backs were better than our wingers and we couldn’t penetrate in the middle either. They were compact and made it difficult for us.
“We conceded the first one from a set-piece and the second one was a great goal. The difference was that their keeper stopped our shots and we didn’t.”
Related News
- AFC Champions League Elite
Machida's strength comes from unity, says Kuroda
- AFC Champions League Elite
Al Ittihad's Conceicao rues missed opportunity
- AFC Champions League Elite
Progression is what matters for Al Ahli’s Jaissle, Kessie
- AFC Champions League Elite
Q-final: Yengi strike keeps Machida Zelvia's dream run going
- AFC Champions League Elite
Q-final: Al Ahli Saudi fight back to stay on title track
Item 1 of 5