Defender Comes To JDT's Rescue In AFC Cup Match

10 Mac, 2015

PETALING JAYA: Defender Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar came to the rescue of Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) at the nick of time.

The national left-back’s stoppage time winner handed a second string JDT side a 1-0 win over Balestier Khalsa of Singapore at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday night to keep them atop Group F.

The match was heading for a dismal draw until Asraruddin collected a Hariss Harun pass to drill a low shot past goalkeeper Zaiful Abdullah via a slight deflection, in the third minute of stoppage time for JDT’s second straight win.

JDT fielded an all-local line-up due to injuries to their key foreign players. Only Singapore’s Hariss came on as a substitute at the hour mark for winger Fandi Othman.

Despite having much of the possession in the first half, the Southern Tigers struggled to break down the stubborn Balestier defence.

JDT, who beat East Bengal FC of India 4-1 in their opening game in Larkin last month, started with Safee Sali and Mohd Amri Yahyah upfront.

The closest they came to a goal was when Safee ballooned his shot with the Balestier goalkeeper out of position in the 43rd minute.

The Southern Tigers were more lively after the break and created more openings but were let down by poor finishing.

The home side had their fair share of scoring chances but the alert JDT goalkeeper Mohd Izham Tarmizi kept them at bay.

The introduction of Hariss, Safiq Rahim and S. Kunalan injected more urgency and the breakthrough came a minute before the final whistle.

JDT will face Hong Kong’s Kitchee, who was held to a 1-1 draw at East Bengal in another group match, at Mongkok Stadium on March 17.

Original source - Joash Ee De Silva, The Star www.thestar.com.my