Malaysian champions Johor qualified for the Round of 16 for the first time after winning Group F with a 100% home record having beaten Singapore’s Balestier Khalsa 3-0 two weeks ago.
But with Ayeyawady having finished second in Group H behind Indonesia’s Persib Bandung thanks to eight goals from Macedonian striker Riste Naumov, further progress is by no means guaranteed.
“They have two excellent foreign strikers from Macedonia and Colombia,” said Gomez, with Colombian Edison Fonseca having also scored four goals for Ayeyawady in the group stage.
“And they regularly pack the masses at the back, with six to seven players behind the ball in defence.”
Like Johor, Ayeyawady are also appearing in the last 16 for the first time having secured progress from the group stage at the third time of asking.
And Ayeyawady are boosted by an unbeaten record away from home in the group stage after defeating New Radiant in the Maldives either side of draws with Lao FC from Laos and Indonesia’s Persib.
“We have no pressure tomorrow and our chances are good, as all the pressure will be on Johor,” said Ayeyawady coach Marjan Sekulovski.
“They are always favourites against every team at home and are among the best club sides in Asia.
“We have only come here to show our best. If it is good enough to give us victory tomorrow, then I am happy.”
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