KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) chastening 5-2 defeat to Muangthong United in an AFC Champions League qualifier in Bangkok on Tuesday serves as a wake-up call to the club.
Coach Ulisses Morais urged the players to bounce back when JDT kick off their Super League title defence against Kedah on Feb 3.
"The defeat is good because it woke us up and showed that we cannot be overconfident because there is plenty of room for improvement for us," said Morais on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page.
"This is what happens when we make mistakes against a team that has played in the AFC Champions League, where they are at a different level.
"So for the current players, who have never played in the Champions League or a higher level, this is what happens when they are not focused and make mistakes at this level."
The absences of injured striker Luciano Figueroa and defender Marcos Antonio robbed JDT of vital experience as Muangthong sliced JDT's defence at will to run up a 5-0 scoreline before Jorge Pereyra Diaz netted twice in stoppage-time.
Replacement centre-back Bruno Gabriel Soares struggled to cope with the pace of Muangthong's attack and Morais said the Brazilian will return to play for JDT II in the Premier League.
"Figueroa had tonsillitis, which was unlucky for us because in pre-season matches, he was our best player," said Morais.
"Antonio hasn't fully recovered yet. (La'Vere) Corbin-Ong, our left-back, did not get to play because of last-minute registration problems. The three players will play in the next match, while Bruno will play for JDT II."
JDT now drop to the second-tier AFC Cup where they face Persija Jakarta, Tampines Rovers and Song Lam Nge Anh in the group stage.
"We should be proud to be the only team to represent the country at the highest level," said Morais.
"Although we lost, we should not give up and we will try again to qualify for the Champions League."