BU ready for Johor challenge
Bangkok United coach Mano Polking said the prospect of taking on the opponents likely to be reinvigorated by the arrival of new coach holds no fear for the Thai League runners-up as they face Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League playoff on Tuesday.
BU’s charismatic coach Polking preferred his side to focus on themselves rather than looking at the visiting team, who recently appointed Mexican Benjamin Mora as their new trainer.
“Given a new coach coming in, it’s normal that would bring a change of playing style. But, this guy was with them for a while. We’ve followed him until the recent coaching change.
“Nevertheless, it’s the same squad and they could not change anything much,” Polking said of his opposite number, who worked with the Malaysian side since 2015.
“Our strength is we’re the same team from last season and we want to play like in the last term. The team is good because we have good preparations.
“The statistics are irrelevant but we respect Johor as they’re a good team. It wouldn’t be easy. I don’t pay attention to the previous record between Thai and Malaysian clubs. We’ll look at ourselves and try to produce good result,” added Polking.
Bangkok United will host Johor at Thammasat Stadium located in Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus, while Sukhothai FC, the country’s other representatives, entertain Myanmar’s Yadanarbon FC at Tung Talayluang Stadium.
Thai League champions Muangthong United qualified automatically for the lucrative group stage of the continent’s premier club competition.
