Jaded JDT Fall Flat In AFC Cup Match

18 Mac, 2015

PETALING JAYA: The Southern Tigers are feeling the heat.

Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) fell to their first defeat in the AFC Cup competition last night – losing 2-0 to Kitchee SC of Hong Kong in a Group F match at the Mongkok Stadium.

It looks like the star-studded JDT are beginning to feel the strain of playing on two fronts – the domestic Super League and the regional AFC Cup.

Last Saturday, JDT were given a torrid time by basement side Sime Darby before being held 1-1 in the Super League.

In last night’s AFF Cup match, Spaniards Juan Belencoso and Jordi Tarres scored a goal each in the 27th and 35th minutes respectively to put Kitchee SC top of the standings with seven points – one ahead of JDT – after three matches.

The Malaysian side opened their campaign with wins over East Bengal FC (4-1) and Balestier Khalsa (1-0) but on Tuesday JDT coach Bojan Hodak rested both his Argentine strikers Luciano Figueroa and Jorge Diaz.

And that proved costly.

There was no fire in the JDT attack as only Mohd Amri Yahyah started upfront.

The JDT defence was no better as Kitchee scored both their goals after pouncing on defensive lapses.

The unmarked Belencoso did well to put the home side ahead with a glancing header from close range in the 27th minute while Tarres broke through the JDT defence and had an easy task of slotting the ball past onrushing JDT goalkeeper Mohd Farizal Marlias eight minutes later.

In another Group F match, Singapore’s Balestier Khalsa picked up their first win after defeating India’s East Bengal 2-1 at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Sumber - Eric Samuel, Star Online www.thestar.com.my