PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim were heading to their first defeat in the Southeast Asian stage, but an injury-time masterclass from Australian centreback Shane Lowry saved them from the jaws of defeat.
The Southern Tigers came back from 0-2 down to hold Cambodian club Svay Rieng 2-2 in their third Group B match of the Shopee Asean Club Championship at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh on Thursday (Dec 4).
Brazilian winger Cristian Roque opened the scoring for Svay Rieng in the 29th minute with a right-footed curler from outside the box, beating JDT goalkeeper Andoni Zubiaurre.
His fellow flanker Nhean Sosidan got the second in the 37th minute when he finished off a superb assist by Ghanaian striker Kwane Peprah, who outsmuscled Shahrul Saad and made a clever pass, which fooled three defenders and Zubiaurre, leaving Sosidan with an easy finish.
JDT reduced the deficit in the late stages through Lowry in injury time (92nd minute).
The equaliser eventually came in the 96th minute through wingback La’Vere Corbin-Ong, who finished off an assist from Lowry.
JDT remain top of Group B with seven points, while Svay Rieng are third with four points.
