PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) three mixed-heritage players marked their return in telling fashion, playing key roles as the Southern Tigers beat Myanmar’s Shan United 3-0 in their Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup Group B match.
Midfielder Hector Hevel, centreback Jon Irazabal and striker Joao Figueiredo all started at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri yesterday after being granted a temporary stay by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
It allowed them to play while their appeal against FIFA’s 12-month suspension is ongoing over falsified documentation.
Others who joined them in the starting XI were goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi, centreback Feroz Baharuddin and midfielder Nacho Mendez. Under Asean Club Championship regulations, teams are permitted to field up to seven foreign players in the starting line-up.
The presence of Figueiredo, Hevel and Irazabal was immediately felt.
Figueiredo supplied a defence-splitting assist, Hevel delivered a corner that led to a goal, and Irazabal anchored the backline as JDT sealed their third win of the competition and booked a place in the semi-finals.
Brazilian striker Bergson da Silva then provided the finishing touch, coming off the bench to score twice in the space of seven minutes in the 66th and 70th minutes.
“I felt good and proud,” said Bergson.
“When you’re on the bench, you’re always anxious and excited to get on the pitch. This is an important tournament for us and also our debut, so we wanted to make an impact.
Move it: JDT’s Hector Hevel (left) gets a tight marking by Shan United’s Mark Sekyi. — Bernama
“Scoring two goals felt really good. The opponents defended well early on, but we kept working and believed the breakthrough would come.”
Shan United had frustrated the hosts in the first half despite JDT enjoying 64% possession and creating eight chances, with only two on target.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 65th minute when Spanish wingback Oscar Arribas, left unmarked in the box, converted Yago Cesar’s corner.
A minute later, Figueiredo picked out Bergson with a precise pass after the striker replaced Jairo da Silva in the 59th minute, and Bergson made no mistake with a left-footed finish.
Bergson completed his brace in the 70th minute, rising highest to head home another corner, this time delivered by Hevel to put the result beyond doubt.
The 34-year-old Bergson added that JDT remained confident of going far in the competition despite juggling multiple tournaments this season.
“We have a good chance of doing well here.
“We are competing in many competitions, but we stay strong because we have a big squad and can rotate for upcoming battles,” he said.
“At this club, expectations are always high. We believe we deserve success this season and we will fight for it.”
The win sees JDT top Group B with 10 points from four matches, with three wins and one draw.
They will wrap up their group campaign against Vietnam’s Nam Dinh at the Nam Dinh Stadium on Feb 5.
