Johor Darul Ta’azim (JDT) qualified to the knock-out stages of the 2016 AFC Cup with a 4-1 win over Lao Toyota FC in Group H at the New Laos National Stadium earlier tonight.
Lao Toyota FC head coach Valakone Phomphakdy made a few changes from his side’s 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at the Larkin Stadium in March, including starting Sitthideth Khanthavong up front and removing Takahiro Saito from the squad after the Japanese defender received a red card for handling the ball in the penalty box in Johor Bahru. The Southern Tigers head coach Mario Gomez fielded a completely different line-up with the likes of Fadhli Shas, Mahali Jasuli, Shakir Shaari and Jasazrin Jamaluddin getting the nod to start.
The home side took the initiative to attack from the get go after Moukda Souksavath attempted a shot from 25 yards out, which was comfortably saved by Izham Tarmizi.
Out of the blue, Azniee Taib found Safee Sali on the edge of the box and the former Selangor man saw his shot brilliantly parried out for a corner by Vatthana Kaoduangdeth on the 12th minute. Safee Sali was ever-present again as he buried the ball into the goal from five yards out but the home side was awarded a free-kick after Safee controlled the ball with his hand.
The next twenty minutes were dominated by the reigning Lao Premier League champions as Jasazrin Jamaluddin and Mahali Jasuli had a tough time of stopping the home side’s runs.
Sitthideth Khanthavong tried his luck from distance but Izham Tarmizi caught it with safe hands ten minutes from half-time, before the ex-Harimau Muda A goalkeeper prevented the former Yotha FC striker’s one-on-one effort yet again to keep the scoreline at bay.
Lao Toyota FC midfielder Phatthana Syvilay was fouled on the edge of the penalty box after Safee Sali misplaced his pass earlier on. The Laos international made Mario Gomez pay for his decision to field a weaker team when he scored a delicious free-kick past Izham Tarmizi on the 42nd minute to send the home fans into a state of pure ecstasy.
The second half kicked off in the away side’s favour after Amri Yahyah was fouled in the penalty box on the 48th minute. 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup topscorer Safee Sali stepped up to convert the penalty to get The Southern Tigers right back in the gist of the AFC Cup tie.
Safee Sali was clean through after a smart pass from Jorge Pereyra Diaz but the former fluffed his shot above the crossbar. On the hour mark, Mahali Jasuli set up Amri Yahyah, who attempted an audacious bicycle kick, but it was comfortably saved by Vatthana in goal.
The reigning AFC Cup champions took the lead when Fadhli Shas was left unmarked in the penalty box after Amri Yahyah’s shot was parried away by Vatthana on the 66th minute and the former Harimau Muda A defender pounced on the rebound to reduce his side’s pressure.
Safee Sali again missed a glorious opportunity after his effort was tamely executed, right before Gary Steven Robbat tried his luck in extending the lead but he was not successful.
Amri Yahyah, who scored in the 3-0 win in Larkin last month, popped out of nowhere to score his side’s third goal after blasting his effort from 20 yards out. On the 82nd minute, Jorge Pereyra Diaz scored the fourth goal of the night for Johor DT with a left-footed attempt.
The referee blew the whistle to indicate a $15,000 cash prize to JDT for topping the group.
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