JDT Beat Kichee To Top AFC Table

14 April, 2015

JDT captain Safiq Rahim slots home the penalty kick to give his team the second
and final goal against Kitchee of Hong Kong in their AFC Cup match in Larkin
on Tuesday. JDT won 2-0. - BERNAMA

JOHOR BARU: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) moved one step closer to qualifying for the second round of the AFC Cup after notching an impressive 2-0 win against Kitchee SC of Hong Kong at Larkin Stadium.

Goals from Argentine forward Luciano Figueroa and Safiq Rahim from the spot were enough to give the Southern Tigers all three points on Tuesday.

The win saw JDT take over from Kitchee at the top of Group F with nine points from four matches. Kitchee slipped to second with seven points.

In the other Group F match, East Bengal moved to third spot after beating Balestier 3-0 in Kolkata.

East Bengal have four points while Balestier prop up the standings with three points.

JDT opened the scoring at Larkin in the 17th minute when Figueroa collected a defence-splitting pass from skipper Safiq to round Kitchee goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng and slot the ball into an empty net.

The goal gave the Malaysian Super League champions a much-needed confidence boost and they continued to bombard the visitors’ goalmouth.

JDT had the lion’s share of possession and should have doubled their lead in the first half.

Safiq had three good attempts on Kitchee’s goal but the national player failed to capitalise on the chances.

He made amends for his profligacy when he converted a penalty after midfielder S. Kunalan was brought down in the Kitchee penalty box in the 41st minute.

JDT can seal qualification for the next stage when they take on India’s East Bengal away on April 28.

Sumber - Mohd Farhaan Shah, Star Online www.thestar.com.my