Skilful display: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Oscar Arribas tries to dribble past three Ulsan Hyundai players during their AFC Champions League match at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Tuesday. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim just told themselves it is a do-or-die game if they want to get to the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League (ACL).
And they fought for their lives from the start and made sure to carve smiles on the faces of their fans, especially their ‘Boss’, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who was in attendance at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Tuesday.
The Southern Tigers got their second win in their ACL campaign after humbling recently crowned K-League champions Ulsan Hyundai 2-1.
Brazilian striker Heberty Fernandes scored the first goal in the 44th minute for JDT but Ulsan equalised through Japanese midfielder Ataru Esaka in the 69th minute.
Substitute winger Akhyar Rashid turned out to be the hero when he scored the winner in the 87th minute to keep JDT’s hopes alive in the competition.
They are currently third in the group with six points, behind second-placed Ulsan only on goal difference.
Kawasaki are top of the group with 12 points while BG Pathum United are bottom without any point.
JDT’s next game is against Kawasaki at the Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium on Nov 28.
After the final whistle, Esteban Solari punched his hands in the air and celebrated with his technical staff.
It was also sweet revenge as the Southern Tigers had lost 1-3 to Ulsan in South Korea.
“What can I say, we are happy. There is a lot of joy. The players went all the way to look for the win, from the first minute to the last,” said the Argentinian.
“We never stopped believing. We created a good game. In all aspects, I am proud of it. We are still on the road and we will keep going.”
JDT had three chances that hit the post before Fernandes struck and Solari could be seen grimacing but he still believed they could win the game.
“It is difficult. It is already difficult to create a chance and then it hit the bar.
“It is frustrating but I believe in our intentions, we kept going and I knew it would come. Second half, we were pegged back but still had the belief.
Solari now wants his boys to get a spot in the last 16.
“We believe that we can get a spot. We are a strong team. We want more. In the league, Cups and ACL.
“We are growing in terms of club development. We have a boss that pushes us all the way, he wants to create a legacy and we intend to help with that.”
JDT can progress by finishing as runners-up in the group or as one of the three best second-placed teams in the East.
That will be the mindset of Ulsan coach Hong Myung-bo as well.
“The result was an unhappy one, we missed some chances and faced a lot of difficulties in the match but all the players did their best,” he said.
“We have to put that behind us and look forward to the next games because we are still in it and we will try to recover from this.”
