ACLE: JDT crush K1 League champions Ulsan HD 3-0
JDT player Arif Aiman celebrates the first goal against Ulsan HD FC in the Asian Champions League (ACL) Elite match at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium today. - BERNAMA photo
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The giants of the Malaysian League, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) managed to bury the Korean K1 League (K1 League), Ulsan HD 3-0 in the action of the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) 2024/25 East Zone at the Sultan Stadium Ibrahim is here tonight.
The Harimau Selatan squad managed to get the lead as early as the eighth minute, when Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi easily stole the ball due to the defensive line of the visitors, before releasing a swipe shot from the right to the left of the goal.
Ulsan HD under the former head coach of the Harimau Malaya squad, Kim Pan Gon almost got an equalizer in the 52nd minute, but Yun Illok's quick shot just hit the JDT team's goal post.
Arif Aiman, on the other hand, got the chance to score a second goal in the 60th minute when his partnership with the Brazilian import striker, Bergson Da Silva almost yielded results, but the keeper Jo Hyeon-Woo denied the attempt.
JDT, however, managed to double the score in the 67th minute when a shot by Spanish import player Oscar Arribas from outside the penalty box deflected high, before plunging straight into the goal of Ulsan HD.
Bergson then added to the misery for Pan Gon's men when his shot in the 88th minute hit the net for the giants from South Korea, who are still looking for their first win after four matches so far.
The Southern Tigers squad is scheduled to meet the Chinese club, Shandong Taishan FC at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center in the next action, 26 November.
JDT, who previously drew 2-2 against Shanghai Port, won 3-0 against Shanghai Shenhua and lost 1-3 to Gwangju FC of South Korea, are third in the table with seven points, three points clear of leaders Vissel Kobe of Japan, while Ulsan HD is in the lowest position among the 12 teams.
Only the top eight teams after eight league level matches, will advance to the top 16 round.
