Brave JDT crash out
JOHOR Darul Ta’zim (JDT) fought valiantly but bowed out of the AFC Champions League group stage following a 2-0 defeat to South Korea’s Gyeongnam FC yesterday.
The former AFC Cup champions needed a win at the Changwon Football Centre to have any chance of qualifying for the next stage from Group E.
However, even a win wouldn’t have made a difference as Japan’s Kashima Antlers defeated Shandong Luneng 2-1 to join the China side, who finished as group champions, in the last 16.
JDT’s best chance of a goal came six minutes before half time when winger Syafiq Ahmad pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box but his shot sailed wide.
In the 53rd minute, Diogo Santo struck a good free kick but Gyeongnam goalkeeper Son Jeong Hyeon blocked the shot.
The turning point of the match came shortly after when JDT had to replace centre-back Mauricio Nascimento with Adam Nor Azlin after the Brazilian suffered an injury. The change opened up opportunities for the Korean side.
With no player tall enough to clear aerial balls following Nascimento’s absence, Gyeongnam took the lead in the 65th minute when Luc Castaignos headed in a free-kick for their first goal.
In their desperation to find the equaliser, JDT left the back door wide open and Takahiro Kunimoto benefited from it to score the second in the fourth minute of stoppage time to seal a win for Gyeongnam.
JDT coach Benjamin Mora, however, was happy with his boys’ performance.
“The experience in our maiden Champions League appearance will only improve my players. With this experience, we hope to do better in the future.
“We tried to do our best in every match. I think my players have learned a lot from these games.
“It was difficult today as Gyeongnam are a good team. We should be proud of our performance in this match,” said Mora.