JDT get off on a losing note
Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) made their debut in the AFC Champions League with a 1-2 defeat to defending champions Kashima Antlers.
Kashima scored their goals through midfielders – Taiki Hirato (43rd) and Serginho (56th) – while Diogo Santo replied for JDT in the 80th minute at the Kashima Soccer Stadium yesterday.
Super League champions JDT, who are the first Malaysian side to play in the competition, were unable to cope with the pace of the game set by the J-League champions.
The Southern Tigers were reduced to playing catch up and sporadically mount counter attacks in the Group E match.
The visitors nearly suffered an early blow when goalkeeper Farizal Marlias gifted a penalty after fouling Serginho in the 14th minute. But the national player redeemed himself by saving the spot kick.
Undeterred, Kashima doubled their efforts and pinned JDT in their own half looking for the elusive goal.
Kashima finally broke the deadlock when Hirato’s long-ranged attempt snuck into goal two minutes before half-time.
The Japanese started the second half from where they left off and four minutes before the one-hour mark, they doubled their lead with Serginho rifling his shot into the top corner from outside the box.
Ten minutes before time, JDT pulled one back when Santo struck from close range.
JDT pushed hard for the equaliser and substitute Akhyar Rashid almost scored but his attempt went wide.