Safawi excited for ACL2020 opener at "perfect" stadium
Opened on February 22, and having hosted its inaugural opener in the Charity Shield last Friday, the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium is set to appear on the grandest stage in Asia when the AFC Champions League welcomes its newest venue with an intriguing Group G clash between the Malaysian champions and the Korean FA Cup winners.
Ahead of the match, the-AFC.com spoke exclusively to exciting 22-year-old talent Safawi to get his view on Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT)'s new home, the upcoming game against Suwon, and his experiences facing off against Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta.
Hi Safawi, thanks for speaking to us. The game against Suwon will be JDT's first AFC Champions League match in the new stadium. How does it feel to play in the biggest competition in Asia in this stadium in front of your fans?
For me if possible, in the first AFC Champions League game of the season at home, we want to get our first [Continental] win at the new stadium for our fans who will be supporting us against Suwon, and I feel their support will encourage us.
So for Tuesday's game, we will try to get all three points.
Can you explain how you and your teammates felt when you saw the new completed stadium?
We feel the stadium is practically perfect because I had never seen such a stadium before. I have played at various stadiums outside the country but those are incomparable to our new stadium. You just need to look at our dressing rooms and facilities.
This is now JDT's second year in the AFC Champions League. What did you learn from the first year in the tournament and what are your best memories from the 2019 competition?
Last year we were in a good group but this year we are facing good players like Iniesta and Paulinho. I feel we can learn a lot from playing against them.
I had a good experience last year, such as scoring against Shandong Luneng, so this year I aim to improve further and score more goals
Do you think JDT are more prepared for the ACL this year?
I feel with our teamwork, we are at a higher level than last year especially with new players joining us and improving the team.
It was a tough game against Vissel, but JDT were still in the game until around 60 minutes. What did you think of the side's performance and which areas do you need to improve?
I want to improve myself in training and games. We will learn from our mistakes and gain any advantages we get from training and games.
Against Vissel, you were playing against Iniesta. How did it feel to play against one of the greatest players of all time and what did you learn from watching him on the pitch?
For me, it is one of the best memories. Since I was young, I have been a fan of Iniesta. From watching him play at the 2010 FIFA World Cup to now having had the chance to play against him.
I was awestruck because he is one of my favourite players.
Suwon also lost to Vissel. How do you see the match against them going?
We are confident about each game, but not overly confident. We will try to follow the coach's tactics. When we play at home, we have an advantage and need to make full use of it against Suwon.
Finally, how important is it to win this game and have good performances at home, and what are your realistic targets for the 2020 ACL?
We want to try to get past the group stage and do our best, which hopefully will become a wonderful memory and history for us and those involved with JDT.
Photo: Johor Darul Ta'zim
For more votes, click, https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/safawi-excited-for-acl2020-opener-at-perfect-stadium for more details.
For more votes, click, https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-champions-league/latest/news/safawi-excited-for-acl2020-opener-at-perfect-stadium for more details.
Ulasan
Catat Ulasan