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Not good enough: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Gabriel Guerra (top) equalised in the 65th minute during the AFC Cup Asean Zone semi-finals against Ceres at the Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium in the Philippines last night.
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) self-destructed – just minutes away from victory – in Bacolod City, the Philippines.
Not only did they concede a late penalty, their goalkeeper Farizal Marlias was also deservedly sent off for a moment of madness.
With their AFC Cup Asean Zone semi-final, second-leg clash against Ceres at the Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium tied at 1-1, the Southern Tigers conceded a late penalty to allow the Philippines team to clinch a 2-1 win – and knock JDT out of the final.
With JDT winning the first leg 3-2, both teams ended the night tied 4-4 on aggregate. Ceres won the tie on the away goals rule.
Last night, Ceres’ Japanese centreback Kota Kawase scored in the 25th minute before Argentine Gabriel Guerra equalised for JDT in the 65th minute. Spaniard Fernando Rodriguez was the toast for Ceres when he converted a spot-kick four minutes into added time.
Super League champions and 2015 AFC Cup champions JDT looked to be cruising to victory after Guerra’s equaliser when disaster struck. Centreback Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak pushed a Ceres player inside the box during a corner kick and Chinese referee Fu Ming promptly pointed to the spot.
Rodriguez made no mistake – kicking the ball straight in the middle as goalkeeper Farizal dived to the right.
The match then descended into chaos as Farizal chased Ceres winger Jose Porteria before the restart. Players from both teams were involved in a melee and Farizal then pushed referee Fu Ming.
The referee had no choice but to send him off.
Farizal continued to show dissent even as he walked off the pitch and had to be restrained by team-mates and officials.
JDT began the match in nervous fashion, despite holding a one-goal advantage after the first leg.
Ceres dominated the first half with 65% possession and 10 shots compared to JDT’s 35% possession and just two shots.
Ceres’ high-pressing game finally cracked the JDT defence as Kawase beat Marcos Antonio to turn in Kevin Ingreso’s free-kick to give his side a well-deserved lead in the 25th minute.
JDT came back stronger in the second half, thanks to the introduction of striker Ahmad Hazwan Bakri for ineffective winger Mahali Jasuli.
The Southern Tigers had to wait until the 65th minute for the equaliser – thanks to Guerra’s moment of magic as he raced from midfield before unleashing a grounder that beat the outstretched arms of Ceres goalkeeper Roland Muller.
JDT must have thought that it was job done.
But Ceres – and Rodriguez – had other ideas.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2017/06/01/jdt-lose-control-southern-tigers-selfdestruct-in-secondleg-clash-against-ceres/#ehRGceKOc8SpAUHh.99
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