It was the Gabriel Guerra show as JDT ran out 3-1 winners over Myanmar’s Magwe at the Larkin stadium.
The Argentinian forward scored a hat-trick to send the Southern Tigers through to the ASEAN zonal semi-finals.
But they were made to do the hard way and was forced to chase the game from the 3rd minute. A free kick by the half-way line from Nanda Kyaw found Kyaw Swar Linn who headed the ball in with no one following his run.
JDT struggled to conjure an attacking threat with Magwe closing down every available space. But the visitors’ plans were thrown to disarray thanks to a moment of brilliance from Guerra after 15 minutes.
Collecting a pass from Safiq Rahim, Guerra runs by the central area. Just as the Magwe defense was about to close him down, Guerra unleashed a rocket shot from out side that left Kyaw Zin Phyo no chance of saving.
It was the spark JDT needed as they started to pressure Magwe’s box. But the visitors had not one but two glorious chances to take the lead under JDT’s noses.
After 30 minutes, Cho Tun’s footwork completely fooled Aidil Zafuan on the left side of the box. However, he shoots over by the near post with only Haziq Nadzli to beat.
Cho Tun then had a much more clearer chance. He once again was able to beat the defense and had so much space to run. He was able to round Haziq. Instead of shooting into the open net, he shoots over the bar and perhaps became a candidate for miss of the season in the AFC Cup.
And it proved to be costly. On the hour mark, Safiq dinks the ball from the left into the box and Guerra was able to guide his looping header into the lower right of the goal to give JDT the lead.
On the 77th minute, JDT was given a penalty after Safiq was fouled into the box by the goalmouth. Guerra stepped up. Despite Zin Phyo guessing the right way, it was out of his reach and Guerra completes his hat-trick.
While JDT advancing, they advanced as best runners-up with Global wrapping up 1st place in Group F after beating Bouengket Angkor 3-1. JDT will next face Ceres, who won Group G, in the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals.
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