JDT on track for AFC Cup defence after South China collapse
Johor Darul Ta'zim player Safiq Rahim (in blue) clashes with South China goalkeeper Tsang Man Fai during the AFC Cup quarter-final match at Larkin Stadium. - BRIAN MOH / The Star
JOHOR BARU: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are on course for title No. 4!
The Southern Tigers have already won the Charity Shield, the FA Cup and, 10 days ago, a historic third straight Super League title.
And on Tuesday, at their fortress – the Larkin Stadium – JDT took a giant step closer to retaining the AFC Cup by knocking out South China of Hong Kong to qualify for the semi-finals.
Victory, however, did not come easy for JDT.
After much work and sheer persistence, JDT defeated the gritty South China side 2-1 in the return leg of the quarter-finals to advance 3-2 on aggregate.
Argentine Juan Lucero opened the scoring last night in the 56th minute before Jorge Diaz added the second three minutes from time, much to the relief of the home fans.
Serbian Nikola Komazez scored for the visitors deep into stoppage time (90+5).
Earlier, JDT were guilty of missing several sitters. They had three attempts which came off the woodwork and even fluffed a penalty in the 50th minute.
Dead-ball specialist Safiq Rahim, who has seven goals to his credit in the AFC Cup, saw his spot kick saved by South China goalkeeper Tsang Man Fai, who had earlier brought down Diaz inside the box.
JDT will meet either Tampines Rovers of Singapore or India’s Bengaluru in the semi-final. Bengaluru won the first-leg 1-0 in India and the return leg is scheduled for Wednesday in Singapore.
