JDT go down fighting to reigning champs Kashima Antlers
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) marked their historic AFC Champions League (ACL) debut with a fighting display despite going down 1-2 to reigning champions Kashima Antlers of Japan in their opening Group E fixture yesterday.
The match, played at the Kashima Soccer Stadium in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, saw the home side scored through Taiki Hirato (43rd minute) and Serginho (56th) while JDT replied through Diogo Luis Santo with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Serginho actually had a good chance to put Kashima ahead after just 14 minutes when he was fouled by JDT goalkeeper Farizal Marlias. However, the 23-year-old Brazilian midfielder’s spot kick was well-saved by the plucky Farizal.
Fifteen minutes later, JDT had a good chance to go ahead when Yasushi Endo fouled JDT’s Argentine import Gonzalo Cabrera just outside the box.
Cabrera took the free-kick and just when the ball seemed to be heading to teammate Mauricio dos Santos, who was right in front of the goalmouth, a Kashima defender stuck out his leg to deny JDT a gilt-edged chance.
Kashima finally broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute when JDT defenders failed to stop Hirato’s long cross, which bounced over Farizal into goal.
The defending champions doubled their lead in the 56th minute when Serginho’s shot from outside the 18-yard box hit the post and went in.
JDT, the first Malaysia team to play in Asia’s elite club competition, managed to reduce the deficit in the 80th minute when Hariss Harun weak shot from outside the box hit teammate Luis Santo on the chest.
The Brazilian then turned and slid the ball past Kashima goalkeeper Kwoun Sun-tae from close range.
JDT, who won the 2015 AFC Cup, will take on Korean outfit Gyeongnam FC at the Tan Sri Dato Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin on March 12 while Kashima Antlers will travel to China face Shandong Luneng FC at the Jinan Olympic Sports Centre. - Bernama