Ahead Of The Second Leg Of Their Semi-Final, Here Are The Thoughts Of Both JDT And Pahang's Coaches

JDT and Pahang Rangers go head to head in the second leg of their semi-final in Pasir Gudang on Saturday, a win for Pahang will put them into the final, while JDT need to win to take the match to extra time and penalties.

Here are the views of the two coaches ahead of the match, JDT's Joao Almeida and Pahang's Eloy Alonso.

Joao Almeida, JDT

Following the defeat in the first leg against Pahang Rangers, how has the team prepared for tomorrow's crucial second leg encounter?

Our team did a very good preparation as before. The reality is that our team always works hard and strong. All the players try their best to make sure that in the game moments we are ready to prove ourselves and to show who we are.

We did a very good preparation and I'm sure that tomorrow we'll fight with everything we have. Playing at home in Pasir Gudang.

How important will home court advantage be in helping JDT turn things around and challenge for a place in the final?

Playing at home is amazing because we have an amazing stadium and our supporters always support us from the first second until the last. What we hope is to have the stadium full of people of Johor and we hope that in the end they are proud of our efforts. That's what we want. It's very important to have their support, it's very important to feel their energy from the first second until the last.

Pahang Rangers will come into this match with confidence after winning the first match, how does JDT plan to counter their strength and approach tomorrow?

Pahang and Selangor are very good teams. The difference between Pahang, Selangor and JDT is not a big difference. For sure they have their strengths, we have our strengths.

It will be an interesting match to watch. I think Malaysia should be proud of having these three teams doing the work they are doing. We will be ready and Pahang for sure will come with energy but our boys will also be with full energy and full power tomorrow.

Finally, what is your message to JDT supporters ahead of this crucial match as the team looks to secure a place in the final?

Come, support us, believe us and trust in our effort because we play with a lot of passion and trust in our work. For sure with their support we will be stronger and we will be ready to give everything we can in the court.

Eloy Alonso, Pahang Rangers

Coach, after the first leg result, how would you assess your team performance and what are the main lessons you have taken from that match?

Yes, for us the first game was an extra motivation, extra motivation to continue growing as a team, to continue growing in our job, and of course for us, this game is a big final, it's our final. We know that it's so, so difficult.

Johor is the big favourite, like I told you before, one team built for to be champion, but of course we will fight here and I trust, I believe in my players and I'm sure tomorrow will be an amazing game.

JDT will have the advantage of playing at home in Pasir Gudang. How do you prepare your team to handle that atmosphere and pressure?

Yes, we need to be focused on the game because we know that tomorrow the stadium will be full for sure. The fans press a lot, so we need to be focused in the game, in our game and we need to do everything that we worked on the last weeks, all this season, to make our game and try to have a good score for us.

JDT need a win in the second leg to force extra time and penalties. How will you manage the game if JDT go in front?

No, it's the same. We have the experience here before in the first game that when this happened we continued working very good and finally 3-3 and with many chances for us. So in these three games, the last three games against JDT, we leave all the situations, so we need to have the head calm, focus in the game because it's 40 minutes and everything can happen here.