Johor Bahru: Cameroon striker Mahama Awal snatched a precious away goal for South China as the visitors from Hong Kong came back from a goal down to force a 1-1 draw with recently crowned Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim in the first leg of their AFC Cup quarter-final at Stadium Tan Sri Dato' Haji Yunos.
After a goalless first half, Johor took the lead early in the second half as Argentinean striker Luciano Figueroa converted from the penalty spot three minutes after half-time only for Awal to restore parity just after the hour mark.
And with no further goals in the final half hour, the tie is tightly poised for the return meeting in Hong Kong in three weeks’ time, although with South China holding an away goal advantage.
A closely-fought affair in Johor Bahru almost exploded into action as early as the third minute as Serbian defender Bojan Malisic nearly gave South China a stunning early lead when his overhead kick from inside the area was stopped by Johor goalkeeper Izham Tarmizi.
At the other end, Figueroa was unable to capitalise on a spill by South China custodian Cristian Mora midway in the first half, while his strike partner and AFC Cup debutant Leandro Velazquez sent a direct free-kick over on the half hour.
A half-time double substitution from Johor coach Mario Gomez saw Safee Sali and Chanthuru Suppiah enter the fray and that gave the home side the initiative in attack.
And in the 48th minute Johor earned a penalty after Malisic was adjudged to have handled inside the area and Figueroa made no mistake from the spot as he sent Ecuadorian goalkeeper Mora the wrong way for his fifth goal of the AFC Cup.
However, South China equalised against the run of play after in the 63rd minute when Awal received a long diagonal ball from Chan Wai Ho and slotted home low from a tight angle after a one-two with Chan Siu Ki inside the area.
Figueroa then had the opportunity to regain the initiative for the hosts after evading his marker to receive the cross inside the area, but he could only stab the ball straight to Mora with 12 minutes remaining.
And although the Malaysian hosts piled on the pressure in the final moments of the game, Johor were unable to make any headway against a stubborn South China defence.
Photo: Nizam Rahman / asiana.my
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