After winning Liga 1 with rivals Bhayangkara last year, recently acquired Indonesia international Ilija Spasojevic scored his first goal for Bali in the victory against Tampines, and the striker took time out to speak to the-AFC.com ahead of the one-legged second preliminary round clash in Chiangrai

Q. How happy were you with Bali’s performance against Tampines Rovers?

It was our first competitive match this season so I was very happy with our performance. I’m sure in time we can only get better as there are some new players in the squad and we need more time to really adapt to each other.

Q. You scored at a crucial time. How important was that goal to the team's confidence in the final 30 minutes?

After the first half ended 1-1, we had to attack early in the second half as we didn’t want to chase the win in the last minutes of the game. Luckily, everything went according to our plan.

Johor Darul Ta’zim skipper Safiq Rahim has been the heartbeat of the team that has dominated the Malaysia Super League for the last four years.

On Tuesday, his team face Muangthong United in the Second Preliminary Round for the second time in three years. The Thais were triumphant last time around as goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan performed heroics in the penalty shootout.

However, having overcome Bangkok United at the same stage in 2017, Safiq is confident that JDT are better prepared this year as they get set to meet a Muangthong side that has been weakened by the departures of Kawin and playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin.

Q: How are the team’s preparations for the upcoming clash with Muangthong United going?

Now, everybody is okay. We are ready for the qualifier against Muangthong. We know Muangthong are a good team and before this, we played against them in 2016. Now in 2018, it’s a different story, a different chapter, so we want to have a better result.

Muangthong United vs Johor Darul Ta’zim

7:30pm, January 23

Supachalasai National Stadium, Bangkok

MUANGTHONG UNITED

It’s a time of change at the Thai giants, with their four superstars all signing for overseas clubs over the last six months – Chanathip Songkrasin, Theerasil Dangda and Theerathon Bunmathan all to Japan, and Kawin Thamsatchanan to Belgium – although both Teerasil and Theerathon will play in the preliminary rounds before departing for Japan.

That means it will be a largely new-look Muangthong United who host Johor Darul Ta’zim next week, and their headline signing has been that of former Buriram United striker Jajá, who found the back of the net 34 times last season.

Muangthong United hosted Johor Darul Ta’zim at the same stage in 2016, with the match ending 0-0 but the Thai side advancing after a 3-0 win in the penalty shootout. Having made the Round of 16 last year, coach Totchtawan Sripan will be hoping for a similar result next week.

Bali United triumphed 3-1 but Singapore club Tampines were no pushovers, drawing level after going a goal down early in the match.

Indonesian side Bali United will play Thailand's Chiangrai United in the second stage of the preliminary round on January 23.

Fadhli Sausu gave Bali United the lead in the 17th minute to send their fans into raptures but Tampines defender Shannon Stephen drew his side level three minutes before the half time break.