GROUP H PREVIEW

Vientiane: Johor Darul Ta’zim coach Mario Gomez has set his sights on securing a place in the AFC Cup Round of 16 as the defending champions prepare to face Lao Toyota FC in Group H on Wednesday.

A pair of penalties from Safiq Rahim and a late strike from Amri Yahyah secured a 3-0 victory for the Malaysians when the sides faced off against each other two weeks ago in Johor Baru.

Johor have claimed three wins from three in the continental competition, while they also remain unbeaten in the Malaysian Super League, and a point at National Stadium will all but guarantee progression to the next phase.

“For us it’s another very important game because we have nine points and we need maybe a point more for the next round, but we want to win tomorrow, this is important for my team,” said Argentine Gomez

“We have no injuries but maybe we will rest three or four players, but we have very good players to come in.”

Opponents Lao Toyota opened their AFC Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over India’s JSW Bengaluru but have since suffered back-to-back defeats to Ayeyawady United of Myanmar and Johor.

The Laotians are currently bottom of the group on goal difference but remain level on points with both Ayeyawady and Bengaluru.

“We are in good shape to get important points and we hope we still have the chance to reach the next round,” said Lao coach Valakone Phomphakdy, who will be without suspended Japanese defender Takahiro Saito after his red card against Johor on Matchday Three.

“Johor is an impressive club, one of the best in ASEAN with many quality players, but if we believe in ourselves and our qualities we will be able to make big things happen.”

In Wednesday’s other Group H encounter, Bengaluru host Ayeyawady looking to complete the double over the Myanmar side after Sunil Chhetri’s goal helped claim a 1-0 victory in Yangon last month.

“They are a decent side. When we faced them away, I think it's the first time they've lost at home in three and a half years,” said Bengaluru coach Ashley Westwood.

“It’s a 50-50 match so I wouldn't say we are favourites. We have Lao at home next and Johor away. Obviously we will try and go one step further than we did last year, when we got to the last 16. The target would be to get to the last eight.”

Opposite number U Kyaw Linh, meanwhile, will be looking for a positive result away from home as his side aim to advance to the Round of 16 for the second successive year.

"This match is going to be the last chance for both teams to qualify for the next round; it will be a decisive game,” said U Kyaw Linh

“When we played them at our home, we lost 1-0 but created a lot of chances. We can say that Bengaluru is the second best team in the group but we will try to win tomorrow."