Johor bahru: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) head coach Xisco Munoz described their match against DPMM FC as a tough game, following the Southern Tigers' hard-fought struggle to break down the opposition's stubborn defence in last night's Super League action at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, despite dominating possession and controlling the tempo from the opening whistle, JDT were held off for nearly half an hour before eventually securing a convincing 3-0 victory. Munoz acknowledged the tactical challenge posed by DPMM FC's structured low-block setup, which left minimal space for his attackers to exploit.

However, the Spaniard praised his players for showing great composure and patience in breaking down DPMM FC's defensive wall through precise combinations and effective counter-pressing. "Tough game. They have a good order in defence. It was difficult to open and score the first one (goal). We had control of the game, moved the ball from side to side, and created important chances, but it took around 30 minutes to score," he told a post-match press conference at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium here last night.

Munoz emphasised that while his side successfully took all three points, there remains scope for improvement, particularly in attacking the final third and maximizing set-piece opportunities. Meanwhile, DPMM FC assistant head coach Mohammad Helme Panjang praised the discipline and performance shown by his men when facing the Super League giants.

He said the players had a chance to score if they were neat in ball possession and calmer in planning their movements to the opponent's attacking areas. "However, I congratulate all the players for being able to reduce the number of goals conceded in the outfield," he said.

He also noted that the advantage of playing at home and the strong support of local fans could also provide encouragement for the players to perform better. The match between JDT and DPMM FC was initially scheduled to be held at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, but was changed to the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium due to the haze that hit Bandar Seri Begawan.