Marked man: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Arif Aiman Hanapi is fouled by Buriram’s Goran Causic (right) and Curtis Good (left) during their Asian Champions League Elite last-16 second-leg match. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The debate over whether Jorge Obregon was offside when he scored against Buriram United on Tuesday may rage on but it does not change the reality that Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) have bowed out of the Asian Champions League Elite.
The second-leg clash at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri was expected to give JDT the upper hand, especially after the first leg in Buriram on March 4 ended in a goalless draw.
From the opening whistle, JDT launched relentless attacks but a lapse in concentration early in the second half allowed Suphanat Muenta to break the deadlock in the 57th minute. After several attempts, Colombian striker Obregon nearly forced the match into extra time with a stunning bicycle kick in the dying moments, beating Buriram goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
However, referee Ahmed Al-Ali disallowed the goal after consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), leaving Hector Bidoglio’s men frustrated as Buriram sealed a 1-0 victory to book their spot in the quarter-finals.
“My assistant informed me that Bergson and Obregon were not in an offside position but the VAR officials ruled that both players were offside in different situations,” said Bidoglio after the match.
“Everyone played an important role. There were attempts, crosses, and dangerous moves. The players kept pushing forward until the final minute.
“Buriram United proved to be a tough opponent this time. We gave our best and the players displayed great character in controlling the game and attacking, but this is football, our journey ends here.
“Of course, I am disappointed that we did not make it to the quarter-finals. The players worked hard all week to prepare for Buriram United and gave their full commitment during training.
“This is football. We have to keep going. In this sport, there are moments of joy and moments of heartbreak, and what happened tonight was truly painful, especially since JDT dominated the match.’’
In the Buriram camp, head coach Osmar Loss Vieira was visibly pleased after his side silenced JDT on their home ground.
The victory further cemented Buriram’s dominance in Southeast Asia with both teams representing the region in this prestigious continental tournament.
Despite the hard-fought win, the Argentine tactician acknowledged that his squad still had areas to refine as they gear up for a quarter-final showdown against a West Asian opponent.
“In our match against JDT, it wasn’t the best preparation for us as we struggled to control possession and execute our game plan. However, we capitalised on our opportunities through counter-attacks,” said Viera.
“Our counter-attacks in the first half were limited but after the break, we found more openings and had chances to score two or three goals in straightforward situations.
“There are times when we plan our tactics before a match, but things don’t go as expected. However, in this game, the players adapted well, executed a solid tactical approach, and performed admirably.
