Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) has overtaken Philippines Global FC to the top spot in Group F of the AFC Cup after an emphatic 4-0 victory.
Mahali Jasuli, Safiq Rahim, substitute Brian Ferreira and a rare goal from Marcos Antonio propelled JDT to the win as they dominated the game, although Global did have some notable chances.
Global started brightly, trying to take the game to JDT. But it quickly diminished as JDT grew more into the game and they nearly got the lead on the 86h minute.
Gonzalo Cabrera with an amazing run from the right near the halfway line, able to outsmart a few Global players before playing a beautiful through pass to Hazwan Bakri who only has the keeper to beat. Global captain Patrick Deyto though stood firm and saved the shot.
Just two minutes later, Mahali with an effort inside the box and the ball almost went in after a deflection. Luckily for Global, it went just wide.
But JDT continued their relentless attack. Global again couldn’t handle Cabrera. Another great run then was followed up with a pass to Safiq, who then tees up Gabriel Guerra. The Argentine’s effort from just outside though was off-target.
On the 16th minute, another through pass from Cabrera somehow found Hazwan on the right side of the box and Deyto again denied the striker. Just a few seconds later, Amirulhadi Zainal tried to follow up from way out and to his credit, the shot went just wide.
Global thought they were in the lead when Germain Agustien with a through pass to Hikaru Minegishi. But the winger was just a yard offside.
Global couldn’t get out of their half with JDT pursuing for a goal. And their pursuit paid off on the 30th minute.
Despite pressure from Global defenders, Safiq was able to get a pass to Mahali in the centre. Mahali, also under pressure, somehow found space to shoot and the ball sneaked into the goal to give JDT a well-deserved lead.
Three minutes later, JDT was awarded a penalty when Amani Aguinaldo was judged to have fouled Hazwan, although the striker is thought to have made the most of it.
Safiq stepped up and scored a great penalty to double JDT’s lead, sending Deyto the wrong way. It was the last notable chance of the half as the game calmed down a bit after JDT’s second goal.
Right from the start of the 2nd half, JDT had a chance to go three up. However, Hazwan, Safiq and Guerra all hesitated to shoot and that allowed Global to clear away for a corner.
Then, Global started to look alive on 52 minutes. From the centre just outside the box, Daryl Roberts’ chipped pass found Minegishi on the right, who took one touch too many that allowed Fazly Mazlan to kick the ball out for a Global corner.
Global tried to get a goal back, but they couldn’t find a way to get into the JDT box. Brian Ferreira’s introduction allowed JDT to get their rhythm back and resumed their attack on Global’s box.
On the 70th minute, Safiq’s corner from the right found Guerra unmarked, but the header was greatly saved by Deyto.
Three minutes later, Global substitute Mario Clarino had so much space on the left-wing and perhaps may have shot a little early as Izham Tarmizi did well to save it.
Ten minutes later, Shu Sasaki with perhaps Global’s best chance in the whole game with only the keeper to beat in the box. But Izham once again with an amazing save, palming the shot over the goal and perhaps Sasaki should’ve done better.
It proved to be costly. On the 87th minute, JDT killed off the game. Guerra’s long ball by the halfway line from the right found Brian in the centre. He got passed Wesley Dos Santos way too easily and finishes his shot well to put JDT three up.
JDT were not done yet. After being fouled on the right-wing, Guerra delivers his free-kick into the box and Antonio met it with a quality header to give JDT a fourth goal and help them secure three points with style.
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