On Wednesday evening at a very wet Larkin Stadium in Malaysia, Johor Darul Ta'zim strolled into the last eight of the 2016 AFC Cup with a 7-2 dismantling of Kaya FC from the Philippines.

A hat trick from Juan Martin Lucero did the damage, with Azamuddin Akil adding a brace and Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Mahali Jasuli completing the magnificent seven. OJ Porteria and Anton Ugarte grabbed second-half consolations for the visitors.

Despite the lop-sided nature of the contest, there were plenty of positives for both teams to learn from.

1. Johor Darul Ta'zim sound warning to Asia

The three other teams in the eastern half of the draw as the AFC Cup reaches the latter stages will be hoping to avoid the Southern Tigers, even Tampines Rovers who would just have to make the short trip across the Causeway.

The Singapore team may have dealt with Selangor in the group stage but the Malaysia Super League champions are just a different class to the Red Giants.

If JDT play like they did against Kaya, then there is surely no team who can stop them reaching the final. That would be a two-legged tie against a side from West Asia, which is the kind of test that the champions need as they have yet to be really stretched in this season's tournament.

The absence of super skipper Safiq Rahim was simply not a problem. Lucero took over free kick duties and opened the scoring with a stunner.

If Lucero doesn't get you, then it will be fellow Argentinian Diaz or Azamuddin. And who's that coming off the bench when the game is as good as over and you just want the final whistle to blow? That would be Safee Sali, still one of the evergreen strikers of Southeast Asia.

It was telling that just seconds after Kaya pulled a goal back to make it 4-1, JDT went down the other end to restore their four-goal advantage. Even the hint of a thought of a comeback was nipped in the smallest of buds.

The movement of the attacking players was a joy to watch and must be equally enjoyable for deeper lying players who are looking to start a new move.

2. Kaya can be proud of their campaign

For a first appearance in the tournament in the club's history, reaching the second round was a fine achievement. There was no doubt that Kaya deserved to be on this regional stage in what was only their fourth-ever competitive game away from home in this competition.

It was not their fault that their reward for their group stage exertions was a trip to the home of the defending champions who put in one of their best performances of the season so far.

Take Thailand out of the equation and JDT are the top team in Southeast Asia at the moment. It was always going to be a tough night for the club from the Philippines. The noises coming from the coaching staff before the game were confident but it was a long shot.

The game was over as a contest before the break as the Malaysians raced into a four goal lead. But Chris Greatwich's men kept plugging away and were rewarded with two goals in the second half. In the end, however, the attacking quality that the hosts possess was just too much for Kaya to handle.

The one regret was that there was no home leg to proceed this. Taking on the champs in the Philippines would have been an exciting challenge.

This is the kind of experience that will help the 2015 UFL Cup winners to return to the tournament as a better team. It was a painful night in Malaysia but there was plenty to take from the experience.

3. JDT are just so hungry and the 'quadruple' is on

Perhaps this is the secret to the team's success. The prematch torrential rain saw passes being held up in puddles and the spray causing the occasional problem. This star-studded team cared not a jot and even seemed to enjoy the sodden conditions.

There was no underestimation of the opposition. There was no fear either, but just a desire to produce goals and keep on scoring. The work rate of the team, even when they are comfortably ahead, is truly impressive.

The fact that Mario Gomez's men were happy to get as many goals as possible was not down to a desire to humiliate the opposition but just from a sheer joy of playing and the attacking instincts that the team possess.

It is the same when it comes to trophies. The club have an insatiable appetite. Winning the AFC Cup in 2015 only increased their desire to do so again in 2016.

The boys in blue are even going for the quadruple -- the Malaysia Super League, FA Cup, Malaysia Cup and AFC Cup. The FA Cup is already in the trophy cabinet, along with the Charity Shield. The champions are top of the table and the team to beat in Southeast Asia. It is still a long shot but the odds are getting shorter by the week.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by John Duerden

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