Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pathum Thani: Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim advanced to this season’s AFC Champions League Play-off Stage after a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout success against Bangkok United from Thailand on Tuesday.
With the teams level following 120 minutes of action, JDT goalkeeper Farizal Marlias saved both Dragan Boskovic and Anthony Ampaipitakwong’s spot kicks to set up a clash with Japan’s Gamba Osaka in the next phase of qualifying.
At a vociferous Thammasat Stadium, the stalemate was eventually broken on 108 minutes when JDT midfielder Safiq Rahim dived to head home a Jeronimo Barrales cross.
The Malaysian outfit then saw Barrales given a straight red card on 112 minutes for an off-the-ball incident, before Bangkok forward Jaycee John bagged a last gasp equaliser to bring about the dreaded lottery from twelve yards.
Johor, AFC Cup winners in 2015, will face Gamba in Japan on February 7 with a spot in Group H - alongside Australia’s Adelaide United, Chinese side Jiangsu FC and Jeju United from Korea Republic - up for grabs.
Photo: johorsoutherntigers.com.my