PETALING JAYA: From scoring the opener to being stretchered off with a concussion, forward Jairo da Silva embodied Johor Darul Ta’zim’s fighting spirit despite their 1-2 defeat to defending champions Al-Ahli in the AFC Champions League quarter-final clash in Saudi Arabia on Friday.
The Southern Tigers may have fallen short, but they left with heads held high after pushing a formidable side all the way.
Brazillian Da Silva’s night summed up JDT’s resilience as he put his team ahead before suffering a heavy blow that required multiple stitches to his lips after a nasty collision.
Head coach Xisco Munoz praised his striker’s bravery and the team’s overall effort.
“Jairo gave us a good start and if we had maintained the score until the break, everything could have been different,” said Munoz.
“But after losing an important player like him, we lost some power in the final third.”
JDT had made the brighter start, taking the lead in the 19th minute when Da Silva’s low cross deflected off defender Ali Majrashi and into the net.
The game turned in the 37th minute when Majrashi was sent off for a dangerous high boot that struck Da Silva in the head, leaving him unconscious and forcing him off on a stretcher.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Al-Ahli struck back deep into first-half stoppage time through Franck Kessie before Wenderson Galeno netted the winner in the 54th minute.
Da Silva was taken to the King Abdullah Medical Complex for precautionary X-ray and CT scans, and was later discharged after receiving stitches for a deep cut on his lips.
Munoz admitted his side struggled to cope after losing their key attacker but was relieved that the injury was not serious.
“I’m not disappointed because we knew how difficult it would be against such a solid team,” he said.
“We tried to create openings but their fullbacks were better than our wingers, and we couldn’t penetrate through the middle.
“They stayed compact and made it very difficult for us.”
Munoz also stressed the need for greater focus in key moments.
“We didn’t control the important moments. We need to be more mature and avoid conceding before half-time,” he added.
JDT will now turn their attention back to domestic duties, with a Super League clash against Melaka on April 28.
The Southern Tigers will look to extend their winning run, although the league title is already firmly in their grasp.
