JEDDAH: Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) hopes of becoming the first Malaysian club to reach the AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite semi-finals were dashed after a narrow 1-2 defeat to defending champions Al-Ahli on Friday (April 17).
Despite playing much of the quarter-final match with an extra man, the Southern Tigers were unable to hold off the Saudi giants at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
JDT took a shock lead in the 19th minute when a low cross from Brazilian forward Jairo da Silva was turned into his own net by Al-Ahli defender Ali Majrashi.
The match took a dramatic turn in the 37th minute when Majrashi was shown a straight red card for a dangerous high boot that caught Jairo in the head. The JDT striker was knocked unconscious and had to be stretchered off the pitch, replaced by Ager Aketxe.
However, the numerical disadvantage seemed to galvanise the hosts. Al-Ahli found the equaliser deep into first-half stoppage time when Franck Kessie outjumped the JDT defence to head home a corner from Riyad Mahrez.
The Saudi club then took the lead in the 54th minute through a brilliant long-range strike from Wenderson Galeno that flew past JDT goalkeeper Andoni Zubiaurre.
JDT manager Xisco Munoz threw on Bergson da Silva in the 75th minute to bolster the attack, but Al-Ahli’s Edouard Mendy remained firm in goal to deny the Malaysian side a late equaliser.
Al-Ahli now advance to the semi-finals where they will face Japan’s Vissel Kobe, who defeated Al Sadd on penalties in their respective quarter-final.
