Johor Darul Ta’azim produced a clinical performance to seal a comfortable 2-0 win over Terengganu at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Kuala Terengganu tonight, courtesy of goals from S. Chanturu and Pereyra Diaz in the first half.
JDT head coach Mario Gomez fielded a surprising line-up, with team captain Safiq Rahim and Mahali Jasuli left on the bench, replaced by Gary Steven Robbat and S. Chanturi in midfield. The last time Safiq Rahim started from the bench in the Super League was back in June 2014. Terengganu’s newly-appointed head coach Mike Mulvey left new signing Juan Jose Morales on the bench while Issey Nakajima-Farran is still suffering from an injury.
The first fifteen minutes saw both sides trying to take control of the game but were unsuccessful in doing so. Out of a sudden, The Southern Tigers started to build momentum and create passes from defence which really troubled The Turtles’ midfield.
Pereyra Diaz came close to scoring on the 17th minute after his free kick was brilliantly saved by Terengganu goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee. The Argentinian was involved again as his pass set Safee Sali up for a shot, but he did not have enough power in his strike.
Ten minutes later, after a series of passes between the JDT players, Diaz found S. Chanturu in an open position and he slotted it in with his side foot to take the lead for the away side. The Boys of Straits travelled almost 200 miles to witness their team play and they were heard all around the stadium after the ex-Sarawak player scored his third goal of the season.
Pereyra Diaz, who has been everywhere tonight, doubled JDT’s lead after a brilliant finish for his second goal of the MSL. Mario Gomez was delighted to see how his team were playing.
The second half kicked off and no changes were made. JDT picked up where they left off in the first half by controlling the game and allowing Terengganu to chase after the ball.
Safee Sali almost made it three for the away side as his effort was inches away from the goal. That was his last contribution in the game after being replaced by Juan Martin Lucero.
Terengganu had a few tricks up their sleeve as former national team striker Norshahrul Talaha had a marvelous attempt on target, which Farizal Marlias did everything he could to tip it out for a corner. ‘Mat Yo’ could not believe his strike did not find the back of the net.
Sharin Sapien’s effort from outside the box was then comfortably saved by Farizal Marlias, before Juan Lucero came close in extending JDT’s lead at the other end of the field.
The tempo of the second half was low as JDT seemed satisfied with a two-goal victory, and Marcos Antonio and Aidil Zafuan were comfortable in handling Terengganu’s attacks.
The referee blew the final whistle to indicate all three points to the away side.
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