JINAN, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng are looking to secure their first victory in the 2019 AFC Champions League (ACL) here on Tuesday, when they entertain Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT).
Five-time winners of the Malaysian league, JDT scored their first ever ACL point in a 1-1 draw with Gyeongnam last time out. With several foreign players in their lineup, Luneng coach Li Xiaopeng is expecting a tough fight.
"We are fully aware of the situation that every team in the ACL is strong. We also have our strengths, and whoever play to their best will win the match," said Li Xiaopeng.
JDT assistant coach Jorge Alvarez expressed hope that his side might claim their first ever ACL win.
"It is our first ACL experience. We will keep our momentum as in the previous matches, and strive to win from the very start," said Alvarez.
After a pair of 2-2 draws in their first two 2019 ACL matches, Luneng rank equal second in Group E, while JDT are bottom of the group, with one point.
