Sorely missed

AFCCUP: Suspended Argentinian strikers major reason for Darul Ta’zim’s semi-final exit

WITHOUT the services of their two main foreign strikers, Darul Ta’zim were made to look ordinary by Bengaluru in relinquishing the AFC Cup title in the semi-final, second leg on Wednesday.

The 3-1 defeat in the absence of Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Juan Martin Lucero, who were both suspended, provided ammunition to critics that even with the cream of local talent in their squad, the Super League champions are still heavily reliant on their Argentine duo.

Darul Ta’zim’s victorious run last year included a walkover win in the semi-finals when Kuwaiti clubs were expelled from the tournament after Mario Gomez’s side lost the first leg to Al Qadsia, before poaching a 1-0 win over Istiklol in the final in Tajikistan.

With the East and West Asian zones split into two halves, it looked like the way was clear for Darul Ta’zim to progress to the final only to come unstuck in Bangalore where they exited 4-2 on aggregate.

Bengaluru had not beaten Darul Ta’zim in four previous meetings and even lost 1-0 at home in the group stage this year.

But with Amri Yahyah also suspended, Darul Ta’zim offered little in the way of attacking football after Safiq Rahim put them ahead in the 11th minute for his eighth goal in the competition.

Only after they were 3-1 down did Darul Ta’zim get going as Junior Eldstal and Safee Sali tested Bengaluru goalkeeper Amrinder Singh but the revival came too late to salvage the match.

“It was a tough match for us,” Gomez told Fox Sports.

“We were leading 1-0 but we made some mistakes and it became 3-1. I cannot say anything but it’s okay and I wish good luck to Bengaluru for the final.

“We lost concentration in defending the free-kick and corner but I am proud of my players who fought all the way.

“Losing three key strikers affects not just us, but any team in that situation.

Darul Ta’zim will wrap up their season with the final Super League fixture against Selangor in Shah Alam tomorrow when they have the chance to create more history.

If they avoid defeat, the Johor club will be the first in Malaysian football history to go through an entire league campaign unbeaten since 1979.

With the FA Cup and Charity Cup also in the bag, Darul Ta’zim will have much to cheer about while also securing a spot in the AFC Cup next year.