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Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) coach Bojan Hodak says he is wary of India's I-League runners-up East Bengal, the Malaysian champions' opponents in their inaugural game of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup campaign on Tuesday at Larkin Stadium. JDT are in Group F along with the Indian side, Kitchee SC of Hong Kong and S. League runners up Balestier Khalsa. Speaking to ESPN FC, Hodak said that East Bengal are technically the best side in India and are more dangerous than I-League winners Bengaluru FC, whom JDT defeated 2-1 in the AFC Champions League first round playoff qualifier on Feb. 4 at the same venue. "East Bengal have very dangerous players and technically are the best side in India," said Hodak. "We need to be very careful about their two Nigerian strikers Dudu Omagbemi and Ranti Martins. They have two good former A-League players in defender Milan Susak and midfielder Leo Bertos. They also have the exciting young India international winger Lalrindika Ralte, who played very well when they reached the semifinals of the competition in 2013." Hodak is not happy with his side's preparations for the game. "We had requested Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for our weekend's MSL away game against Selangor to be played a day earlier so that our players could get an extra day to train for the AFC Cup game," said the 43-year-old Croatia born coach. "However, our request was not sanctioned. And to make matters worse East Bengal flew into Johor Bahru a couple of days before we could get home and started training." There are plenty of injury worries as well. The midfield, in particular, is depleted in numbers. Shakir Shaari, who injured his knee in training prior to the drawn MSL game at Selangor, will not be available against East Bengal. Amri Yahyah is a long-term absentee and Junior Eldstal and Amirul Hadi are also doubtful starters. Defender Aidil Zafuan is also out while Argrentinian striker Jorge Pereyra Diaz will start in spite of nursing a niggle. However, Hodak chose to dwell on the positives. "We have problems but our opponents are also not likely to be a settled unit. Their coach has changed a few days ago [Dutchman Eelco Schattorie replaced Armando Colaco] and this is going to be the first match after the change. Our striker Luciano [Figueroa] has started to look good, we have two great midfielders in Hariss Harun and Safiq Rahim and our central defence pairing of Marcos Santos and Fadhli Shas is the best in MSL. And we are playing at home. So we hope to put together a good show against East Bengal." A good showing on Tuesday in front of their own fans in Johor will go a long way towards healing the continental wounds of being knocked out 3-0 by Bangkok Glass in the second round of the AFC Champions League qualifiers last week.
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