Safee inspires JDT to historic AFC Cup semi-final
BY K. RAJAN
Safee Sali of JDT goes sliding in the match against Perak last month. - The STAR Filepic
PETALING JAYA: Inspired by a brace from Safee Sali, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) created history by becoming the first Malaysian side to qualify for the AFC Cup semi-finals.
Playing with 10 men for almost an hour, JDT defied the odds to beat Hong Kong’s South China 3-1 in the quarter-finals second leg at the Mongkok Stadium on Tuesday night to advance 4-2 on aggregate. Both teams played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Larkin Stadium last month.
No M-League team have gone past the quarter-finals in the second-tier AFC Cup since its inauguration in 2004.
JDT had a dream start last night with winger Mahali Jasuli on target in the 26th minute. But the lead lasted for only two minutes as Mahama Awal struck the equaliser in the 28th minute.
In a ding-dong battle, Safee gave JDT a 2-1 lead in the 31st minute. But the good work nearly came undone as the Southern Tigers were reduced to 10 man after Argentinian striker Luciano Figueroa was red carded by referee Fahad Jaber Al-Marri of Qatar for elbowing South China’s Cheung Chi-yung in the 36th minute.
A scuffle ensued and Fahad was forced to book South China defender Bojan Malisic and goalkeeper Cristian Mora and JDT defender Mohd Aidil Zaquan Abdul Razak.
Despite being a man down, JDT continued to surge forward in the second half and were rewarded with Safee on target again in the 47th minute.
But South China refused to give up. They had a chance to reduce the deficit in the 88th minute when they earned a penalty. To the Super League champions’ relief, Malisic sent his spot-kick sky high.
JDT are expected to meet defending champions Al-Qadsia of Kuwait in the semi-finals.
The Kuwaiti champions lead Al Jaish 3-0 and will play the Syrians in the second leg on Wednesday night.
