KUALA LUMPUR: National head coach, Peter Cklamovski, has described Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) progression to the quarterfinals of the 2025/2026 AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) as an “epic achievement” that reflects positively on Malaysian football.
He said the Southern Tigers’ 3-2 aggregate victory over Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the round of 16 underlined the club’s ability to compete with Asia’s top teams.
“Epic result for JDT! Well-deserved victory over two legs. Congratulations to all. Super result for Malaysian football,” he wrote on his Instagram Story.
JDT, who won the first leg 3-1, advanced to the last eight despite losing 1-0 in the return leg of the round-of-16 tie at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima on Wednesday (March 11), making it the best performance by a Malaysian club since the tournament was rebranded in 2023.
Joining JDT as representatives from the East Zone are Thailand’s Buriram United and two other Japanese clubs – FC Machida Zelvia and Vissel Kobe.
All four teams now await the outcome of the West Zone ties to determine their respective opponents in the next stage of the competition. – BERNAMA
