KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) have an uphill task to reach the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League knockout stage after suffering a 1-2 loss to Shandong Luneng in a Group E match at Jinang Olympic Sport Centre in China, Tuesday night.
It is the second defeat for Benjamin Mora’s side following another 1-2 lost to Japan’s Kashima Antlers in their opening Group E match in March.
Tonight’s result saw JDT stayed at bottom in the group with one point after three games, four points adrift of Shandong in second and six points behind leaders Kashima.
Favourite Shandong started the game very well and almost broke the deadlock in the 18th minute through Belgium international Marouane Fellaini but the 31-year-old midfielder failed to find the net after he lost control of the ball.
The former Manchester United star then redeemed his mistake in the 30th minute with a superb header in the visitor’s box to slot home past hapless goalkeeper Mohd Farizal Marlias.
Shandong Luneng who are placed fourth in the current Chinese Super League (CSL) campaign double the lead in the 38th minute through Granziano Pelle’s penalty after JDT’s defender Mohamad Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razdzak took down the opponent in the box.
The Southern Tigers produced a more composed performance in the second half in their quest to find the equaliser to snatch at least a point.
National Under-23 (U-23) star Muhammad Safawi Rasid then pulled a goal back for JDT after his effort from 40 yards easily beat the goalkeeper Wang Dalei.
Earlier, JDT had a great chance to score in the 47th minute but Muhammad Nazmi Faiz’s long-range shot went straight into the hands of the goalkeeper. – Bernama
